Connecting with another person (or with yourself, by responding to your body’s signs of stress), triggers calmness.  This can have a snowball effect.   Calming yourself allows you to think clearly and process your difficult circumstances — which will further resolve stress.  Social connection, whether with other people or through “compassionate attention” to yourself, is one of the most important ways to calm yourself.

During the shut down, may not be able to go out with friends because of practicing social distancing, but you can FaceTime a loved one or have a meaningful conversation with someone you’re isolating with.  Establishing a sense of safety and connection with someone — and making eye contact, even over a Zoom meeting — can cue your body to relax.

If there’s no one to socialize with, or if blurry, online interactions just aren’t cutting it, you can visualize someone you trust — even a pet — and imagine feelings of safety and connection. Or you can just hunker down in a relaxing room in your house.  These things bring your body back to the present moment, which may feel safer to your nervous system than the potential negative scenarios of the future.