Astronauts Offer Advice For How To Manage Stress And Challenges During the Coronavirus Outbreak
If you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed right now, we understand. The coronavirus outbreak has wreaked havoc on the entire country, let alone world. People are out jobs, schools are closed indefinitely, and people are succumbed to the confines of their home, socially distancing from others. It’s a crazy, scary uncertain time for many—and feeling anxious is normal.
If you ask a psychologist how to manage your stress during this difficult time, they might tell you methods like downloading a meditation app or practicing yoga. And while these are great, proven stress-reducing techniques that could help, it’s always nice to get another perspective.
This week, astronauts—yes, astronauts—have been posting all about their best tips to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. When you think about it, they deal with social isolation and quarantines all the time, so they know a thing or two about how to handle the stress that comes with it.
There’s something truly calming about their words. Like NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, who has been in space for almost six months as part of the Expedition 62 mission. She offers a slightly different perspective (literally) on the whole thing:
From up here, it is easy to see that we are truly all in this together. #EarthStrong pic.twitter.com/lGgKHLUB0p
— Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) March 16, 2020
Or take NASA astronaut Anne McClain’s advice. She spent about six months aboard the ISS in 2018-19, so she knows a thing or two about being isolated from others.
Reminder that stress happens when expectations aren’t in line with reality. When we can’t change reality, it’s best to focus on our expectations.Expect to do things differently.Expect to need to adapt.Expect to be out of your comfort zone.Expect to put others first. pic.twitter.com/mR0xl40fBs
— Anne McClain (@AstroAnnimal) March 17, 2020
NASA astronaut Christina Koch spent several months in isolation in Antarctica as well as nearly a year on a mission on the International Space Station. How calming is her perspective:
One year ago, launching into space reinforced to me that the most important thing on Earth is the people you love. Today, as we all stay close to home, I’m struck how that still couldn’t be more true. pic.twitter.com/WXEQx2oAOd
— Christina H Koch (@Astro_Christina) March 16, 2020
And a little humor from another NASA astronaut Scott Kelly never hurt. He spent almost a year aboard the ISS. It’s true though, isn’t it?
One thing I learned in my twenty years at NASA is that most problems aren’t rocket science, but when they are rocket science, you should ask a rocket scientist. #COVID19 #coronovirus https://t.co/bC6lrfr4mB pic.twitter.com/dUVBsLQ1IB
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) March 14, 2020
These really give you a new perspective on things, huh? How are you dealing with stress that comes during these challenging times?