{"id":1422,"date":"2021-06-01T22:58:12","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T12:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/?p=1422"},"modified":"2023-09-04T23:03:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T13:03:06","slug":"navigating-tough-times-staying-connected-practicing-self-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/navigating-tough-times-staying-connected-practicing-self-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating Tough Times: Staying Connected and Practicing Self-Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Adrienne Garside<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no point sugar-coating it \u2013 Australia is on track to collectively endure one of the toughest years in living memory. First, the summer bushfire season had our beautiful Central Coast looking like a post-apocalyptic hellscape for weeks on end. Then, after almost no respite, we\u2019ve had our lives completely up-ended by COVID-19. In recent weeks, some selfish folk have hoarded essentials like toilet paper for fun and profit. Major disruptions to schools, workplaces and social gatherings are likely to persist for months. Everyone is being strongly encouraged to stay at home \u2013 particularly older people whose health may be at greater risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from those who have lived through war or widespread poverty, few of us have experienced this level of social upheaval. In this lucky country, we\u2019ve never really been asked to make sacrifices for the common good before. Yet history shows us that the best way to navigate a profound crisis like the current pandemic is to stay connected, and to look after ourselves and each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re all in this together<\/strong>
Some in the mental health sector have begun to suggest that constant talk of \u2018social distancing\u2019 should be replaced with the more specific term \u2018physical distancing\u2019. In the current situation, robust social networks are more important than ever. It\u2019s hugely beneficial to stay in touch via phone or mail with relatives, friends and neighbours \u2013 especially those experiencing sudden unemployment, serious illness or bereavement. If your regular shared activity is suspended, get a phone tree started to \u2018check in\u2019 with group members. Use social media platforms like Facebook to reach out to others (but ignore the unsourced news and medical advice offered there). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-care isn\u2019t selfish<\/strong>
It can be especially hard to prioritise self-care during a crisis. Yet taking good care of yourself nurtures resilience, which is the ability to bounce back effectively from setbacks. Here are some basic self-care tips to get you started: 
Maintain regular routines \u2013 <\/strong>Try to keep to your usual schedules around getting up, dressing, eating, sleeping and exercise. As the 20th<\/sup> century pop psychologist Dale Carnegie used to say, live in \u2018day-tight compartments\u2019 \u2013 keep focused on the task at hand, not worrying about what might happen tomorrow, next week or next year.
Seek support \u2013<\/strong> Many health services are now being delivered remotely or using other non-traditional methods. Contact your GP to find out the safest ways to care for your health. Don\u2019t delay seeking help if something doesn\u2019t feel right, physically or mentally. If possible, enlist a friend or family member to maintain your access to food, medication and other essentials.
Relieve stress \u2013<\/strong> Let go of the need to be productive. The priority for the foreseeable future is feeling safe and connected. You can break out that long-postponed DIY project if you want to, but \u2018vegging out\u2019 on the couch is equally valid. Do a jigsaw puzzle. Buy a book online from an exciting new author. Revisit a favourite film on Netflix (maybe not Outbreak or Contagion <\/em>right now). Take some slow, deep breaths. Whatever makes you feel calm is helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hang in there<\/strong>
It is normal to feel anxious at such an uncertain time. It may help to write your worries down, or share them with someone you trust. Try to keep your mind focused on what you have to be thankful for. Seek news from fact-checked sources like the ABC and the Sydney Morning Herald<\/em>. Share smiles, kindness and toilet paper. And remember \u2013 this, too, shall pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For crisis counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, <\/strong>
call Lifeline on 13 11 14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adrienne Garside<\/em><\/strong> works for Iris Foundation, a charity that aims to reduce the risk of suicide on the Central Coast. The Foundation achieves this by facilitating and supporting awareness campaigns, programs and partnerships which enhance community connectedness and well-being. For more information, please visit: www.irisfoundation.org.au.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Adrienne Garside There\u2019s no point sugar-coating it \u2013 Australia is on track to collectively endure one of the toughest years in living memory. First, the summer bushfire season had…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[48],"series":[115],"class_list":["post-1422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellbeing","tag-adrienne-garside","series-coffee-with-a-coastie"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/06\/fingers-touching.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/feed\/podcast\/coffee-with-a-coastie","embedCode":"

Navigating Tough Times: Staying Connected and Practicing Self-Care<\/a><\/blockquote>