Safe at Home. Stressed at Home.

Right now, most of the nation is under some level of pandemic related "Safe at Home" order. Whether you've been sent home by your employer or are just practicing responsible "social distancing" your new normal may be you stuck at home with the kids, your spouse, pets and a never-ending to-do list. As our daily lives continue to undergo extreme change and we face the ongoing threat of COVID-19, it's not too surprising that a record number of people are reporting heightened levels of stress and anxiety. Fortunately, this new normal is not life-long. Above anything else, it's important to remember that the new normal is just normal for right now, and come the 4th of July we will likely all be out at the ballpark with our family and friends just like we were last year and the year before. If you're stressed out, which we all are right now, just know that it's okay. This is one situation where we're all pretty much in the same boat. You're not alone and you're definitely not the only one feeling overwhelmed. "Safe at home" does not mean "locked in your house." Go outside. Get fresh air in your lungs and light on your skin and you'll feel a little better in no time. If your kids are driving you nuts, consider taking shifts with your spouse or other parent. Give yourself 30 minutes of alone time and come back ready to tackle whatever life throws at you (in the next 2 hours). Not any one suggestion will make this ordeal okay, but if you implement a task-force style assault on your anxiety and stress, you will come out of this okay, and that's really the only thing any of us can ask for.

Each day that you're holed-up at home, stressed out and anxious, ask yourself:

-What am I grateful for today?

-Who am I checking in on or connecting with today?

-What expectations of "normal" am I letting go of today?

-How am I getting outside today?

-How am I moving my body today?

-What beauty am I either creating, cultivating or inviting into my life today?

Consider these questions honestly and find strength in your answers.

Hang in there gang. We've got this!