5 Acceptable “Outs” to Keep the Sane "In" You

Hard to believe it’s been more than a year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and all the upheaval of life as we knew it. No wait. Believe. It’s been many moons and months filled with hard things. Aside from the threat of the virus, our psychological wellbeing has been invaded.

How can you keep yourself sane when all you want is a way out of this time warp? I gave this some thought and came up with five “outs” you can do to help keep the sane in you.

1) Reach Out. You may have found yourself at home and alone this year more than ever before in your life. For a social person, this lack of contact can be crippling. We were used to working/schooling/being with each other in person, not virtually. Texting and messaging may not be second nature to you, and you may need to force yourself to reach out to someone who comforts you, but I encourage you to do it. Getting tired of being the one to initiate? It’s okay—remember, connection benefits you both so swallow that pride and let those fingers do the talking (or call and really talk).

2) Write it Out. Feelings. Ugh. We all have them (yes, you men do too). Don’t let your thoughts fester like mosquitos in a Florida pond—write them down. Not a fan of journaling? Write down your thoughts on scrap paper and crumple it up if you don’t want to keep it. Rip it to shreds (ripping paper is also therapeutic). Put your “mad” messages in a jar to revisit one day. Whatever you decide to do, you’ve done yourself a service by getting it out of your head and into your reality. There’s something satisfying about writing or typing out your thoughts. Try it. What have you got to lose?

3) Cry It Out. Crying is not a sign of weakness, it’s an intellectually emotional way of coping and an element of release. Whoever invented the term “ugly” crying gave it a bad rap. True, no one is fond of seeing snot trails but releasing the flood gates of your hell opens the door to feeling better. Need crying inspiration? (I don’t typically either.) Watch a favorite movie you know or have heard brings the feels. My triggers also include writing and praying and are a welcomed response to cleansing my soul.

4) Dance it Out. Music is a powerful mood lifter so jam like it’s peanut-butter jelly time. Want to rock out to heavy metal rage music? Does Country or Christian melodies sooth your soul? Feel like sauntering to something slow and sad? Go for it! Alternate between the two or any combination in between. Whatever type of music you like, listen to it daily and let your body move because no one’s watching (Note to self: Turn off camera). Start or end your workday with some tasty tunes and moves your children would disown you for doing.

5) Bathe it Out. Take a long shower or hot bath. Whether you sit and soak in a scented bubbly tub or are more of a shower person, keep up the daily ritual of keeping clean (and if it’s not a daily ritual, um, please start one). Heard of the slogan, “Calgon, take me away?” The definition of this phrase even made it into the Urban Dictionary: “This is the feeling a person gets when they have finally been taken away, and they forget their present troubles and burdens.” Imagine all your troubles melting away with the sweet flow of soap bubbles and cleansing water. It’s a guaranteed mood lifter.

In addition to keeping physically well, it’s critical we keep our mental health as stable as possible. These are just a few ways I found to help me keep sane. What are some of the things you do to help yourself through trying times?

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Suzan E. Zan is a passionate communicator who explores life’s quirks, pains, heartbreaks, and the beauty found in them. Learn more at www.suzanzan.com.