WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo --
Editor's Note: This is the first in an ongoing series of columns by 131st Bomb Wing Directors of Psychological Health Bethany Harris and Dan Shea. In them, we hope to provide help and advice for Airmen and families dealing with the challenges brought about by COVID-19.
Hello from Bethany and Dan, your Directors of Psychological Health. We are working together to bring you what we hope will be helpful information during these times of uncertainty.
Things have changed in the last few weeks. Many of us are working from home, have different work hours and shifts, our children and spouses are home, some of us are educating our children at home along with doing our best to follow recommendations for social distancing. All of this can create anxiety. As human beings we feel stressed when things are uncertain or we don’t feel safe. The good news is that there are some strategies that can be helpful, here are some things to consider.
• Do healthy things that help you feel safe and separate what is in your control and what is not. There are things that you can do, it is helpful to focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.
• Create a new schedule and routine. A healthy routine should include a nutritious diet, exercise, getting adequate sleep and self-care. Make sure that you make time for things that you enjoy!
• Challenge yourself to stay in the present. We can spend a lot of time thinking about what is happening and trying to guess what the future will bring. If you find yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet, bring yourself back to the present by noticing sights and sounds, paying attention to your present environment.
• Stay connected and reach out if you need if you need support! We are all in this together. If you are feeling alone or are struggling in any way, contact Bethany 314-753-0342 or Dan 314-939-0246. You can also take advantage of resources like Military One Source 1-800-342-9647 or the Military Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255.
We’d love to know what you thought about the strategies we’ve shared, and what other topics you would like us to cover in the future. Please feel free to contact us directly with your thoughts.