Take care of your body

• Eating regular, healthy meals

• Drinking plenty of water instead of caffeinated or sugar drinks

• Get enough rest or sleep

• Exercise and get regular fresh air

• Keep a regular routine as much as possible

• Avoid numbing your pain with alcohol or drugs

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Practice calming your nervous system

• Limit your exposure to news or social media

• Relax your tense muscles and take deep breaths with long exhalations

• Pay attention to things around you that give you joy (colors, textures, smells, sounds, taste, objects, smiles, etc.)

• Do something creative (music, art/crafts, writing, dance, etc.)

• Pray or meditate

• Hum or sing

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Connect with others

• Resist the urge to isolate – remind yourself that you are not alone

• Connect with people you love or those who make you laugh

• Participate in religious or cultural practices

• Use your skills to support or encourage others

• Hug those you love every day

• Seek support from a psychologist, crisis service, priest or volunteer support

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Allow yourself to “feel”

• Allowing yourself to “feel” isn’t weakness; it’s having courage to be human

• Disregarding your feelings or trying to “stay strong” will inevitably lead to harm for both you and those you love

• Talk with those you trust about how you feel and listen to them

• Express your feelings through talking, journaling, art, music, dance, poetry, or storytelling

• Don’t hold back your tears – they have healing properties