The hardest part for me was the constant low-level tension, even on days when nothing was actually happening. I started checking the news first thing in the morning, then wondering about every cough or delivery, and by lunch I already felt worn out.
One small thing that helped was putting my phone in another room while I made coffee and ate something. I still check updates later, but I don’t let them set the tone for the whole day. I’ve also been taking short walks without listening to anything, which gives my head a break.
I’m not calm all the time, but at least the stress doesn’t get every minute of my day now. What has helped you create some separation from pandemic worries?
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Putting the phone away during coffee is a good boundary. I started doing something similar, and it made me realize how quickly one headline could color the whole morning.
I’ve also been keeping a simple list of ordinary things to do, like watering plants, fixing something small around the house, or calling someone. Nothing dramatic, but it gives the day a shape that isn’t based on the latest update.
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@Jennifer_Diaz, that ordinary list sounds surprisingly grounding. I’ve found that small tasks work best when I choose just one or two, instead of making another long list that feels like an obligation.
The “one headline” part is so true. Sometimes I don’t notice how tense I am until I step away from the phone and realize I’ve been carrying that feeling around for hours.