“Finding community, even virtually, is a critical step in reducing stress,” says licensed psychotherapist and Sad Girls Club consultant Elizabeth Ohito, LCSW. To restore ourselves—and to process the trauma and grief that this year has carried—Ohito recommends using mindfulness to help settle our nervous system. At-home yoga, meditation, and journaling are all restorative and soothing practices.
If you’re like me and have difficulty establishing a meditation practice, learn some simple breathing exercises that can support you no matter where you’re at or how little time you have available. Or, find out what active rest looks like for you—art therapy and walking meditation can be creative, active ways to refresh yourself. Studies show that spending as little as ten minutes out in nature can help reduce mental and physical stress, so walking, stretching, or sitting in a natural area is an excellent and accessible option.
Sleep also goes a long way in supporting our mental and emotional wellbeing. Practice good sleep hygiene, keep a sleep log, and prioritize a device-free bedtime routine.
The CDC has a comprehensive list of mental health resources and practices specifically for dealing with stress from COVID-19, and Headspace has a list of relaxation practices that I’ve bookmarked for frequent revisiting.
Finally, if resources allow, connect with a therapist online to create a personal rest plan that works for you.
A note on the responsibility of rest
As I said earlier, you are not obligated to use rest to fuel your productivity if you don’t want to or cannot bring yourself to do so. Rest is worthwhile, no matter the intention. But stress-free leisure time is a privilege that not everyone has, so it’s essential to support rest in all its forms.