We’re virtually here to help!
By CPN Behavioral Health Department
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services
Bozho
(Hello),
By now, we have all heard many times over that we need to maintain a safe distance from one another, specifically a distance of at least 6 feet when that is possible. But we may also need to maintain a different kind of distance. It is important to set boundaries with other people sometimes when it comes to maintaining good mental health. At this point, we have all been pretty inundated with COVID information: progress reports and reports of positive cases and reports of the spread and reports and reports and reports.
While it is certainly important to stay informed, it is also important to know when to take a break and avoid information overload. Sometimes this is going to include letting people around us know when to take a break. You aren’t necessarily asking to stop receiving information, just letting others know you are in need of a break. Making a safety plan for self-care is important to these situations. These safety plans are intended to be time outs for when we feel overwhelmed.
Safety plans can include things like taking a short walk, taking a coffee break, stretching in place, or anything you can feasibly do in the moment to take you out of your stress for the time you do it.
And remember; a safety plan can be an integral part of maintaining healthy boundaries with those around you when you start to feel overwhelmed. They can certainly help you with your ability to interact with others while maintaining your boundaries.
Of course, you can always check with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov with questions and helpful information during this time. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or text CONNECT to 741741, or online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Migwetch
(Thank you)!