Ease isolation with creative connections

Like all of us managing life during the pandemic, Becky Wang finds herself and her family isolated from loved ones and the world at large. She also understands what it’s like to be part of the PI community and the added stress that can bring in these unsettling days. Becky’s 16-year-old son has a PI.

Still, the licensed professional counselor is doing her best to combat the loneliness and even make connections with others stronger. Recently, IDF offered an educational forum designed specifically for Get Connected Group participants to address some of the challenges touched upon during those meetings. At an IDF forum on Aug. 22, entitled, “Fostering Creative Connections in Challenging Times,” Becky shared strategies with Get Connected Groups that we all can use to uplift ourselves and those around us.

During her presentation, Becky aimed to teach the community self-care strategies, share strategies on how to cope with isolation, and provide creative and fun ways to get and stay connected.

Pursuing exercise, practicing meditation, staying hydrated, eating well, and getting adequate rest are ways that we can care for ourselves daily.

“All of these things are not rocket science, by any means, but when it comes to self-care many of us don’t give ourselves the attention we need, probably because we’re busy caring for other people,” said Becky.

Becky described how practicing mindful meditation each day helps keep a person calm and focused, even during difficult times. Meditation approaches include:

• an informal practice of directing your attention to one thing like the sounds of nature or the rhythm of your breathing
• a semi-formal practice in which you focus on one activity, such as folding clothes or making the bed
• a formal practice of guided meditation led by someone

Formal meditation can be accessed through platforms like YouTube or meditation podcasts, and even three minutes a day yields results of calmness.

Keeping up connections with nature, communities, and culture is also crucial to keep a positive frame of mind.

Becky recommends going outside for a few minutes to boost Vitamin D, and to listen to the sounds of the wind, touch the grass, or feel the bark on a tree.

Staying connected to your community of family and friends is critical right now and possible through apps like Zoom or FaceTime. Play games together, or cook together. Read a story to a child. Watch a movie together.

You can virtually connect to culture by listening to an orchestra, watching a Broadway play, or taking a tour of a location in the world you’ve always wanted to go. Or you could take a class to learn photography or a new language. “There are so many virtual things you can do, and although it’s not exactly the same, it does help you feel like you’re still connecting in different places,” said Becky.

“In some ways, the pandemic has afforded us some more time, and so I think it’s nice to take that time and try to help myself grow personally or professionally. That always makes me feel better.”

Watch the full presentation of “Fostering Creative Connections in Challenging Times” here.