My Dear Friends,
You have to put your own “oxygen mask” on first if you want to be able to help others. Self Care and mental health awareness is so incredibly important right now.
You must prioritize your whole health now more than ever.
Stress & anxiety are at an all time high. Boredom and feelings of hopelessness and lack of purpose can leave us feeling useless and despondent.
Please, without guilt, nurture yourself. Stay hydrated, sleep, exercise.
If you’re working outside the home you’re probably burning the candle at both ends and the wick is getting short, take care to have boundaries and be protective of the time you need to rest, restore and rejuvenate. Be gentle with yourself and forgiving. You’ve never been through something like this and you’re doing your best, I just know it.
If you have kids at home, please consider that they are little people too, they need you strong and they need you however you are, as long as they know they’re loved and protected. Be patient, be kind, be gentle with them.
They’ve never been through this before. They’re used to their routine too and remember that to children routines mean comfort and safety to them. Snuggle time, movie time, read together, laugh and play games and sit and talk.
They need you well and present.
If anyone is struggling with anything particularly bad please reach out. Reach out to a friend, family or trusted resource. They can help, or can at least point you in the direction of someone who can.
I’ll admit, I’m struggling to find the balance today after going full-steam for the last two weeks. That kind of speed and perseverance is not always sustainable so I’m bringing her back to the station!
Over the mountains or through,
enjoy the journey, always knowing
when to take it slow.
and when to keep going.
Love,
Your Future Self
Written by:
Corrina Sysyn
For anyone suffering please contact the following resources:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
https://www.naminh.org/