We are living in scary times. The Coronavirus is threatening people’s health, financial stability and emotional well-being. Within our own beloved theater community, regional and community theaters are canceling current productions, and Broadway just closed it’s doors for one month (https://www.playbill.com/article/broadway-will-go-dark-amid-coronavirus-concerns).
The fear this is creating is REAL. Most people have already been impacted by the anxiety this is causing even if the virus itself has not been near them. How can we, as actors, professionals in the theater, and/or patrons of the arts take care of our emotional well-being during such an uncertain episode? Here are some practical steps you can take to manage your mental health:
Validate – Your feelings are valid! If you are afraid, that is valid. If you are calm, that is valid. You have permission to feel however you feel. We all must begin from that starting point before being able to take the next steps.
Limit News Intake – It is, of course, important to stay informed. But avoid ruminating. Find one or two solid news sources (NPR and BBC are media that have been ranked as the most unbiased) and stick with looking to them for updates. Outside of that, you will only be encouraging your brain’s obsessive thoughts which can render people inactive.
Exercise – Working out is as effective as psychotropic medication for managing mood and anxiety. Do what you can and what your body has the capacity to do, whether that is lifting weights while sitting down or going for a run.
Be Part Of The Solution – Being proactive is both productive and helpful to the community. You can support artists in other ways (buy their music, take a remote voice lesson from them or send words of support), donate to the Actor’s Fund, see a show off-Broadway, (off-Broadway shows are still open because they are gatherings of less than 500 people), do a random act of kindness, or volunteer in your local community.
Just Breathe – This is scary and the impact of this Coronavirus are real. We will make it through. Take a deep, slow breath in through your nose counting to ten, exhale slowly through your mouth while counting to ten. Repeat. Repeat again. We will make it through.
Stay physically and emotionally healthy, my friends.
Best,
Dr. Drama