Dear Readers,

I don’t know about you but I am pretty freaked out about this virus.

And before you ask, no, I am not high risk for it, and it’s still scary as anything any of us have ever faced, excepting maybe the Holocaust, which by all accounts is cited over and over as the worst thing ever in the so my use of the example should be a good indicator of how little frame of reference I actually have for this thing.

I have several friends and family members who are high risk and it’s terrifying to think that someone they don’t even know could get them sick and they could die if they get it. Scarier still, I could have it and not know it and give it to them.

I think if we are honest, we are all very scared and making the best of a bad situation. (Insert FaceTime -and other Virtual platforms here)

How about you? Are you calm? Freaked out? Nonchalant? Somewhere in the middle or none of the above?

I will say that I am relieved that we have so many cities taking it seriously and insisting on “stay in place” orders to help “flatten the curve” and stop the spread.

So what to do to feel better?

1. Make sure to follow the CDC guidelines-

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

2. Consult with a therapist, (but Professor Haston, we can’t leave the house, how can we see the therapist?)

Glad you asked! Welcome to teletherapy! In response to this pandemic, several therapists are offering care via virtual platforms.

3. Review the guidelines, wash your hands and ask, am I doing all I can do to prevent the spread?

4. Find an outlet- Meditate, draw, sing, dance, This can be a great opportunity to write your book/song/YouTube Channel show.

5. Read the news (sparingly!) to stay informed and if/when you feel your anxiety ratchet up, reach out to a friend, and make a plan to “virtually hang out”

6. Look for the good. There are lots of stories out in the news about moguls giving money to help find a cure. That’s good, and isn’t getting shared as much as it could be. Also, if you can’t find the good, be the good. Thank your grocery store clerk for being a hero/heroine for coming to work with a smile on their face, and if they are stressed (who wouldn’t be?) say, wow, it’s tough, or something like it, you might be the only person who notices them and really SEES the human in front of you.

So that’s my message this week, look for the good and be the good in the world.

It’s a great time to be kind.

Think About It.