Social Distancing and The Blues
I want you to take a long deep breath before you begin reading. Ready, let’s breathe in through your nose(as if you were smelling a flower) …………hold it……and thenlet’s breath out through our mouths (like blowing out a birthday candle). During the past four weeks we have been bombarded about the importance of staying safe to promote our health and the guidelines to reduce the spread of the coronavirus by social distancing. Sometimes we need a moment to regulate ourselves, and breathing can do just that.
Even with the of multitude of information we have been presented over the last few weeks, howwe process our feelings during this time over social distancing has not been addressed. The lack of physical contact and authentic connection with individuals can present a multitude of health problems such as anxiety, depression, irritability, difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating and much more. The importance of touch to our humanity is engrained from the moment we are born. A mother’s touch to their newborn child releases Oxytocin( your feel good chemical in your body) in the mother’s body promoting the attachment between mother and child. How can we touch in a safe way during this uncertain time? Some of us have pets and families that are living with us during this time. Take the time to hold these individuals and breath in and out while engaging in these behaviors. This increases the oxygen to our brains, promote our engagement in the present moment, acts as a regulator for our emotions and releases Oxytocin within our bodies. We can even hug ourselves to produce the same effects!
Sometimes a simple hug is not enough for some individuals and they require a deeper connection. At our fingertips we have a powerful device that is able to connect us across oceans. Our phones can provide us with real time connections with individuals we love in a way that follows the Center for Disease Control guidelines. By connecting with each other, even virtually we are sharing laughs, creating memories, promoting conversations which continues the human connection we are all engrained to promote and engage in. Exercising, is another great way to promote the release of endorphins (another feels good chemical) in your body. Not only can exercise help you feel better it can also aid in regulating emotions. Incorporating exercising into a routine has been studied and has shown it improves daily functioning, increases mood, and increases ability to sleep.
All in all, social distancing at the moment is the best method in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. Although, this does not mean you can allow it create anxiety, depression, irritability, difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating or much more within yourself and your families. We overviewed about the importance of breathing as a form of regulation, different ways physical touch can benefit us and how to safely do it, and we reviewed the benefits of exercise and routines to elevate our moods. We hope you and your loved ones have found this informative and remember, let your light shine from within.