coronavirus

Deepak Chopra: on how to not be overwhelmed by fear and anxiety

Fear, unease and anxiety around the current COVID-19 pandemic remains constant, and can cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

When parents have strategies to stay calm, kids can stay calm… and Dr. Deepak Chopra has lots to say on this topic.

Families are interrelated systems and kids take cues from how parents position information, their tone of voice, their sense of urgency… and their overall optimism. Even in the presence of great challenge.

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Dr. Deepak Chopra talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about how to cope with the global threat posed by coronavirus, the parallel "pandemic of panic," and how to not be overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. Comparing it to past pandemics and wars, he says the COVID-19 outbreak is an invitation to stop denying our shared humanity and finally recognize our power to use our creativity to save ourselves.

Listen to this insightful and calming podcast here…

Rethinking your child’s relationship with screens during the pandemic (National Geographic)

Rethinking your child’s relationship with screens during the pandemic (National Geographic)

As COVID-19 continues to upend family routines across the globe, it’s also intensifying our relationship with media in unprecedented ways. But to all the parents wracked with worry about letting their kids watch TV while cooped up at home, experts say: Relax…

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus (Child Mind Institute)

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus (Child Mind Institute)

COVID-19 has changed our lives in ways we never would have imagined. Kids, at this unique time, may be feeling extra worried (especially if they already have an anxiety disorder). Fortunately, there are things we can do to help our kids cope - including providing creative outlets to express how they’re feeling in an open way. Check out Kidevolve’s silly and enticing IMAGINARY FRIEND DRAWING EXERCISE (Course 7.3: Joy & Energy) which gives kids a super fun outlet to draw their inner monsters and let their imaginations run wild to a whacky array of musical cues in a game-like setting. Get your coloured pencils, markers and papers ready! You might even think about doing this exercise with your kids and then discussing everyone’s monsters afterwards… when you're finished, you might just have a new friend (who's been waiting for you all this time!).

Astronauts know how to handle isolation: Tips from NASA astronauts (Space.com)

Astronauts know how to handle isolation: Tips from NASA astronauts (Space.com)

NASA astronauts know a thing or two about isolation, and kids will benefit from understanding how much time, thought and preparation goes into this activity alone. From preparing in advance for new pressures on interpersonal relationships and working to strengthen communication and awareness (especially when school and programs are postponed, placing parents, caregivers and kids in MUCH more regular contact), to the power of staying positive in our newly confined environments (TIP - focus on others and help kids think about a way to have "a higher purpose"), devising robust mental strategies in advance can help lessen anxiety and stress while bolstering self-regulation at every age.

Parents: Staying calm & keeping kids at safe social distance too (CNN)

Parents: Staying calm & keeping kids at safe social distance too (CNN)

With the advent of the coronavirus, and our rapidly changing responding world, many parents are wondering about playdates, programs and neighbourhood play, especially for kids (many now cooped up at home & off school for weeks), while we all do our part to “flatten the curve”. Shall our kids be engaged in close physical play with neighbours and friends right now? What kids of playdates and activities should be restricted? And how do we make sure kids can get outdoors (and be social and physical - very important) without contradicting the work adults are doing as we stay home from work to self-isolate, suspend businesses, cancel events and kid’s programs?