3 Ways to Stay Calm During Difficult Times

Checking in with the community! This is a stressful time for all of us. It’s been hard not to go into full-on panic mode with news of COVID-19 over the last few days. It can be easy to start saturating yourself in news articles and social posts with nothing but fear rising up. I’m hoping to be a light during this difficult time! 

I wanted to share three helpful tools that have helped me stay calm in the face of the unknown. 

1. Breathe. I know it sounds ridiculous but research shows we actually hold our breath when we get stressed or fearful. You might not even be aware of it. If you get some upsetting news or feel a moment of panic or overwhelm, pay attention. Take a deep breath… in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try 4 counts each way, in and out. In times of stress, your body needs you as healthy as possible. The breath is the center of your whole body functioning well.
2. Research & fact check. I’m not saying dedicate yourself to 24/7 news coverage (we all need to take breaks from the news!) but don’t assume everything you read on the internet is true either. There are a lot of rumors and misinformation is rampant. Check your sources. Find trusted voices. A couple of the places I’ve been getting news are here and here. Many online news outlets have removed their paywall around coronavirus reporting. I’m also paying close attention to anything from Dr. Anthony Fauci, a nonpartisan, American immunologist and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
3. Make a plan. The hardest part of situations like this is the unknown variables. Does that mean you shouldn’t make a plan? No. Make a plan. Having a plan helps you feel at ease and confident; it gives you a plan of action. News is changing rapidly, so your “plan” may only be applicable for today. That’s okay! My team and I normally plan our content, launches, meetings, products and campaigns months in advance. We’re now having daily calls to adjust and shift these plans as needed. Making a plan won’t solve all your problems, but being more organized will help you focus on the bigger issues at hand. It’s easier to adjust a plan when the unknowns become knowns as opposed to starting from scratch when you need to take action. 

So what do you think? What are your tips for staying calm during a difficult time? Navigating a new normal is hard. I have not mastered these tips but I am reminding myself to practice them every day!

On another note, our team is working on new blog posts, printables and social content we can share in the coming weeks. We’re thinking through ways we can provide value in this planning and organizing space at a time when our hearts and minds are on health and safety.

While we’re hard at work on new content, here are some past Whitney English blog posts that might be helpful during this social distancing time!

• My favorite chick flicks
• Some of my favorite books of 2019
• Five ways to show yourself love (self-love is not just for Valentine’s day, we need it now more than ever!)
• How to sleep better
• Weekly meal planner printable (meal planning will help you reasonably stock up on groceries)
• Self-care tips (these holiday focused tips are good year-round!)
• Favorite books for kids in 2019 
• Rainy day activities for kids (schools are closing, and we need all the help we can get!)
• Some of my favorite books on homeschooling (this is from the deep archives — hello 2017! — but I still love many of those homeschooling resources)
• Finding beauty in bad moments

I’m going to be sharing lots more on Instagram stories and IGTV and I’d love for you to join me! We need community now more than ever. Come follow along and join in the conversation!