How To Feel Grounded

With the seemingly never-ending pandemic, how do we cope with the changes in our demeanour and activities?

Does everyone sense this altered sense of reality? Is this what the new normal will be?

After speaking with a family member and hearing their fears of being in public spaces, despite being double vaccinated, I realized that there are many unknown, long-term effects pertaining to COVID-19. Whether or not we actually became ill due to the virus itself, there is a lingering sense of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty in the air.

So what can we do?

Do we simply try to accept that these are our new perspectives and surroundings? Or do we go back to our old ways?

Here are some ways to feel grounded in this new reality:

• Check-in daily with loved ones: Physical and emotional isolation are inevitable during the pandemic, but we can reduce feelings of loneliness by maintaining our connections. A phone call, video chat, Zoom gathering, or even a quick text to check-in can make all the difference in our lives.
• Re-watch your favourite shows and movies: Revisiting whether Ross and Rachel were on a break, catching the Hogwarts Express, or squeezing onto the couch with the Simpsons can fill us with a sense of comfort and joy.
• Get outside for at least 10 minutes each day: With temperatures dropping below -10, it’s hard to feel motivated to step into the brisk Canadian cold. When facing sub-zero temperatures, it can help to make mini goals, such as going to get the mail (even if just on your porch or mailroom), walking to your favourite coffee shop, or even strolling the aisles at your local grocery store. Completing one errand outside of the house can help us feel accomplished.
• Learn a new skill: While the beginning of the pandemic felt like a never-ending bread-baking series, there is value in keeping busy and challenging ourselves. These types of activities can foster new skills and are relatively affordable. Puzzles, board games, and crafts are just some other affordable activities to stay engaged while also being creative and reducing screen time.

Know that we are all in this together, we will get through it

We have lost loved ones, jobs, housing, restaurants, experiences, and what feels like years of life. Remember that we share this collective grief.

While we may feel stuck in this uncertain limbo, just know that the changes brought on by the pandemic were immense, and it is absolutely normal to feel unsure, stuck, or even relieved and at peace with our new realities.

If you’re having trouble with uncertainty, self-doubt, and feeling stuck, Shift has some fantastic therapists that specialize in building these skills that can help you!

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This article was written by Amanda Kurgatnikov during their time at Shift Collab.