Aside from the pandemic, the recent wildfires along the coast and some parts of the country have devastated our nation even more. With everything happening simultaneously, it’s easy to lose oneself in the middle of the chaos.

We hope that with these few simple tips we could help as we go through these events resiliently:

Acknowledge and be present with difficult emotions.

Being alone with ourselves for quite sometime can bring up challenging emotions and thoughts. Instead of avoiding these difficult feelings, label what you’re feeling and mindfully accept that the moment is painful. This gives us the opportunity to respond with compassion not just to ourselves but also to others. By acknowledging feelings, you are practicing self-compassion.

Grounding yourself when feeling overwhelmed.

The practice of grounding yourself focuses your awareness in the present moment. The current circumstances can be re-traumatizing for some people. When feeling overwhelmed, it’s helpful to focus your awareness on the sensations of your feet on the floor. Redirecting your attention away from your thoughts can help re-focus your direction.

Innovate and honor your core values.

Like the old saying “Change is the only constant”, how we view ourselves and the way we view things are now disrupted by social distancing and other restrictive measures doesn’t mean that you have to let go of your values. If you found meaning by providing financially for your family, you can practice supporting your family emotionally until you return to work. If you enjoyed meeting with friends, you can still meet with them online and demonstrate interest and understanding. Remaining connected and finding ways to stay true to them are acts of self-care.

Do the activities you enjoy.

No need to practice meditation to experience self-compassion. Asking ourselves about “How do I care for myself already?” makes a big difference. A step further and doing something nice for yourself is even better. There’s music, dancing if you do, reading books, even video chatting with friends and loved ones.

Engage your senses. 

Joy is attainable if you allow yourself to enjoy the simple things. Savoring a delicious meal or pampering yourself the way you like is a good way to receive physical expressions of kindness when you’re in self-quarantine, but you can still comfort yourself as you would a good friend. These simple gestures can help reduce your stress levels.

Exhale gratitude.

Here are a few guided meditation sessions online, and here are some for your reference should you take on our recommendations:

Streaming live, virtual classes at 9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday while shelter-in-place remains. Tune in live via Instagram at @soulsticemindbodyspa or through their Facebook page. All classes are free, but donations are appreciated. soulsticemindbodyspa.com

In response to current conditions, Spirit Rock’s Dharma programs are now offered exclusively online. Classes are free, but when you register to join virtually, they encourage paying at the highest level you are able to in support of Spirit Rock, their staff and their assembly. spiritrock.org

San Francisco Zen Center’s Online Zendo offers Zazen meditation, Dharma talks, ceremonies, and meditation instruction every day of the week via Zoom. Classes are open to all and require no registration. Donations are appreciated. Visit their website for schedule and Zoom links. sfzc.org/online-programs

Held in their virtual Zoom studio, Mindful One offers free online meditation classes at noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Classes are 30-minutes long and suitable for all experience levels. The first half of class is a guided meditation, the second is a silent, breath-focused meditation. mindfulonemeditation.com