Breathe.

I’m no scientist, but I know that breathing is good for you. We all need to breathe in order to stay alive. Not breathing is (obviously) bad; it’s simple.

Now, with the current COVID-19 pandemic, it’s very understandable to be stressed out. People have died, people are dying, and unfortunately, it looks like people will die from it. Our lives are in danger (some more than others), our way of life has been disrupted, and moving forward, life will be forever changed.

You may be stressed out because you have family and friends who are elderly and/or have compromised immune systems. You may have to adapt to working from home. You may still have to work and risk infection each time. Your employer may have reduced your hours or you may gotten laid off from your job. You may be struggling with helping your kids with their schoolwork. The list is endless. There are so many reasons to be stressed out, and your feelings are valid. We are, after all, dealing with a worldwide pandemic.

No matter how you feel, it is important to take a moment, take a breath. Breathing is how you stay alive. In the moments you feel really stressed out, take a moment to pause, take a slow and deep breath in, and slowly let it out. It won’t automatically make everything better, but it may help you feel a little physically, mentally, and emotionally clearer for a moment. That may be a small thing, but in my book, that’s still a win.