Mental health and a quarantine...say what?!

There are a lot of different tips, “shoulds”, and overall just pressure on parents and families right now, and I’ve had so many conversations with people who just are plain overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with their own emotions, or emotions of those around them, overwhelmed with school (or helping their kids with school), or overwhelmed about the future, jobs, money… I could add to this list all day. Now, more than ever, it is hard to have a clear head- about anything! Pair that with the seemingly constantly changing news, and you have a recipe for disaster. Ok, great, now that that’s out of the way, what is there to do?

• BREATHE! Just take a breath. Think things through. What is really going on in this moment that is making you feel so stressed out?

• Journal about it! We are living in history. It will be something we talk about for many years to come, so what better thing to have than a daily account of what is going on, what you are feeling, etc.

• Know that in terms of school work- something is better than nothing. Connection is more important than anything, especially right now. Kids- and specifically elementary kids- are going to remember more about what this time felt like than they ever will about the specific concepts they are learning.

• Side note- you don’t have to be perfect. If you are a parent that isn’t wanting to help with homework because you’re not sure that you’ll be able to help or have the right answer- you are 1000% not alone in that.

• On the topic of homework, think through what else you can be doing with your family right now. Learn how to change the oil? Cook? Meal prep/grocery plan? Play a new game?

• Enjoy this time. This will end, and think about how you want to come out of this. With a new hobby? New skill? Probably more importantly, new coping skill?

• In graduate school we had a running joke of “don’t be ‘Should-ing’ on yourself”. For example- I should be doing more x,y,z. As much as my last point said to think about what you want to accomplish, we are also living in uncharted territory. If all you do is reach out to a friend, do one homework assignment, or even take a shower, you are still succeeding! YOU ARE LIVING THROUGH THIS!

• Remember- every day is one day closer to being out of this. And, you have survived 100% of your bad days. You will get through the bad days, and tomorrow is a whole new chance to have a good day.

I closed my last blog post on this topic in the same way, and I am going to copy myself in saying:

“All in all, I think we can all look to how the Ag community responds to trying times. Keep your head up, keep aware, and keep moving. Bonding together as a community is what we need now more than ever, and looking to each other will help keep all of our mental health needs in check, and help us to get through this season.”

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out! Teletherapy is a great tool, and research has shown that it provides the same benefits in individual therapy as in person therapy does. It also has the benefit that you don't have to leave your house! We are learning more and more about it, and it can be so beneficial that you don't have to worry about parking, appointment times not being convenient, leaving the office, seeing people as you leave said office... etc.