A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Who would have thought we’d still be dealing with COVID a year and a half after things were shut down the first time? At first, everything was going to be shut down for 2 weeks, then the schools were closed for the rest of the year, and now here we are after many ups and downs and COVID is still a factor in our daily lives.
Let’s compare this to training for a race. Your race training will depend on whether the race is a sprint or a longer distance. So let’s say you had been training for a sprint and you get up to the start line and the whistle blows. You’re sprinting and your muscles are doing what they’ve been trained to do. And just when you think you’re getting close to the finish line, someone picks up that finish line and moves it back by 25 miles. Now the game has changed in a big way and you have to change your approach.
We’ve all been running this marathon for a while now so I’m guessing that your strategy has changed along the way, maybe multiple times. The change itself was difficult and that initial sprint may have worn you out which makes it harder to come up with a new plan. My best suggestion, as a therapist, as a human being living through this pandemic alongside you and as a parent, is to take a really HONEST inventory of where your mental health is right now. This marathon has worn down our spirit, our strength, our endurance, and so much more. So be honest, how are you doing?
How is your stress, anxiety, depression? Sometimes when these things last for a long time (say a year and a half?), people tend to not even realize that they’re struggling because it feels so normal to them.
Have you checked in with your primary doctor in a while? Schedule those regular check-ups that you skipped during the pandemic and be honest with them if you have changes or concerns.
Are you taking care of yourself? Eating well? Sleeping? Drinking enough water? Exercising?
Do you have a healthy support network in your life-family, friends, coworkers, therapist? And when was the last time you talked with them or saw them?
Do you have positive coping strategies and things you do just for yourself to nourish your body, your mind and your spirit?
Have you taken on unhealthy strategies for managing stress? Are you drinking or eating more than your body needs or eating a lot of sugar?
A marathon runner will tell you that you have to nourish every part of your body, your mind and your spirit in order to stay strong and healthy for an endurance race, and the same thing applies to this marathon pandemic. Reach out and ask for help and support. Find a therapist. Talk to your doctor. Set up time with that friend you haven’t seen in a year. Visit your spiritual place. Get out in nature.
Take that extra care that you need right now in order to be strong and healthy through this marathon.