By volkswagenchick on

As many of us in the Drupal community are entering the second month of physical and social distancing, it is important to take a break from our - often repetitive - day-to-day activities to spend some time on self-care. This not only helps ourselves, but also those around us. With this in mind, the CWG’s Community Health Team has compiled a list of activities that can help all of us cope with everyday stresses a little better.

The team has prepared a presentation with some strategies to support our wellbeing during this challenging time.  Join us on May 22 for a Wellbeing Hour with Dr. Michelle Drapkin, the newest member of our Community Health Team.

Take a break from the digital world

Breathe. Go outside, sit at the window, stand on your balcony. Break up your day. Fresh air and sunshine can help you to recharge and be more focused when you return to the computer. Exercise can help reduce anxiety and tension, improve mental outlook, and create some mental peace. 

Keep Learning

Use this time to hone your skills. Take some classes, attend meetups, and other virtual events. Many companies and organizations have lowered the cost of their classes or established curriculums that can be accessed at a lowered cost or for free.

Exercise Caution Online

Equipping ourselves with accurate information can go a long way in keeping our anxiety levels low. Be sure to get information from trusted, reliable outlets that back up analysis with data that’s been vetted or verified by official sources. Social media can be a wealth of misinformation, and it’s important to validate what you see online before acting on it or sharing it with others.

Give Back

Giving back has many benefits, but first and foremost it feels good. Not only does giving back make an impact, but it also builds and makes our community stronger, and makes our projects better and more complete. When we mentor, share our expertise, we not only build other’s skills, but we also sharpen our own. By being leaders, we add to our street cred and contribute to our professional growth and development

Take it Easy On Yourself

It’s perfectly okay not to hold yourself to your usual standards of productivity right now. Balancing personal and professional life is harder than usual right now, and many of us are working in environments that are full of distractions. Communicate with your colleagues, let them know how you’re doing, and make arrangements to adjust your working hours and expectations as needed so that you can be your best self both personally and professionally.

Ask for help

You are not alone in needing some additional support, and there is never shame in asking for help. Stress is affecting our sleeping and eating patterns, our work habits, the ways we are interacting with those closest to us.

Call your local public health department or insurance company for resources. While going to an in-person appointment may not be possible, many therapists and counselors offer on-line or telehealth services.

Resources

News

Mental Health Call Centers

  • Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
  • We are looking for suggestions for non-US-based mental health resources to include here.

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