Self-Care and Music Amidst COVID-19

   Recently, I woke up very early with my mind in an anxious state with worry about the lack of medical equipment and supplies for our healthcare workers on the front line. Immediately, I felt anger and frustration at a lack of a coordinated effort to address this need, sadness over the human toll this pandemic is taking.

   My mind was continuing to spiral even before I got out of bed. I did not want to start my day in anger and fear, so I put on some music (Meditation de Thais by Jules Massenet) via my iPad and headband headphones (so as to not wake my spouse). I allowed myself to continue to feel the pain and angst of the situation in our country/world but I let my body give in to the sweetness of the music. It did not change the crisis, but it did help me to start my day in more resourceful state. It is very easy to spiral into anxiety and hopelessness; music offers my body and spirit a comforting companion to easing some of those physiological and emotional responses.

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