Gathering Graces 3/24/2020 Pet PSA...Coping with Stress

We interrupt this blog with an important Public Service Announcements from our household pets.

Today's message is all about coping with stress during this time.  Clark, Leo and Sadie believe there is some good information on the World Health Organization website.  If you haven't visited https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public, here is some information that may be helpful to you.

1. It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, angry or angry during a crisis.  Taking to people you trust can help.  Contact your family and friends.

Leo and Clark are leaning on each other during this time.  They hang out together, hunt birds together, and ward off other cats who choose not to practice social distancing in the backyard.  They want you to know that you don't have to do this alone.  There are people there who want to help you.  Just ask.


2.  While you stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle--including proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home by email and phone with other family and friends.

Clark makes sure he is getting plenty of exercise by chasing birds, climbing trees and canvassing the neighborhood (while keeping a least 6 feet from others, and not gathering in groups of greater than 10).  Thanks to his owners, Clark is also provided a fresh supply of food and water to keep him healthy and strong.


3.  Don't use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotions.  If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counsellor.  Have a plan, where to go and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required.

Leo is giving in and will not use catnip to deal with what is going on right now.  Instead, he will give in to human contact for love and support (but only those in his own household), and eat healthy and get lots of exercise.  If he does start getting scared or anxious, he has someone he can call to help him out.  He doesn't have to do this on his own....even though using the phone can also be a source of anxiety.  


4.  Get the facts.  Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions.  Find a credible source you can trust such as the WHO website, or a local or state health agency.

Clark does not believe everything he reads on the Internet, especially Facebook.  Clark uses reliable sources to find out how many people have been infected in his state, in his country, and in the world.  He does not share misinformation, but he does share information that is reliable from reliable sources. He learns from his friends Mr. Smith and Harlowe in Italy who have been on lock down for 16 days.  Be like Clark!!


5.  Limit worry or agitation by lessening the time you or your family spend watching or listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting.


Sadie does not spend a lot of time watching news coverage that is sensationalized and somewhat scary.  And she find much of the coverage to be scary.  She picks and chooses what information she want to read or listen to, and does not have it going 24 hours a day because she does not want to be freaking out all day long. Instead, she suggests people find a good book to read, do some crafts, listen to music, write, paint, call a friend.  Go shoot some baskets and  go for a bike ride.  Watch a movie about cute dogs.  That is what she is going to do.

6.  Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you manage previous life's adversities and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during the challenging time of this outbreak.

Clark and Leo try and distance themselves from the things that stress them out as much as they can.  Big dogs in a neighbor's yard?  They avoid it.  Mean cats coming into their yard?...they band together to chase it off.  They stay close to safe places.  Again, they rely on others for help and even though cats are thought of as solitary creatures, they realize, in times like this, you really do need each other.