Manage your Negative Self-Talk Before It Manages You During the Shutdown!
We’re three weeks into social distancing due to COVID-19. How is your mental health doing? Has your anxiety or negative self-talk been up to old (or new) tricks?
Not being in our normal routines and always going all the time can make us slow down, which can be good, but our minds can become occupied with thoughts that are not helpful and sometimes overwhelming.
Have you been having thoughts like the following?
I’m not doing this right!
I don’t know what you’re doing! (Is this ringing a bell, parents?)
I’ll screw this all up!
I’m not being productive enough!
I’m a….(insert negative word here)
If you’ve been hearing a lot of this lately, then it’s time to….
BE KIND YOURSELF! YOU DESERVE IT!
Speak to yourself gently and remember this is a very difficult time.
Whatever you’re dealing with, teaching the kids at home, feeling the pressure to keep up your productivity at work, or dealing with unemployment, the opportunity to be gentle with yourself is high.
Here are a few Self-Kindness Tips (from our friends at the Mighty)
1. Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself, “I am amazing!” or something similar.
2. Repeat a mantra such as, “I am beautiful, I am blissful, I am bountiful.”
3. Tell yourself: This isn’t an easy time. I am doing the best I can. It is OK if I make mistakes. I can do it!
4. Distract yourself with music or a mantra when you find yourself talking in a negative inner voice.
5. Talk to yourself gently.
6. Talk to a supportive friend or family member.
7. Watch an uplifting movie.
8. Read inspirational sayings.
