---
title: Control and Balance During Pandemic
date: 2020-04-21T22:27:11Z
modified: 2026-04-30T21:06:10Z
permalink: "https://newdirectionspgh.com/counseling-blog/control-balance/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 1126
categories:
  - Anxiety
  - Mindfulness
  - Stress
featured_image: "https://newdirectionspgh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/control-and-no-control.jpg"
timestamp: 2026-04-30T21:06:10Z
tags:
  - Anxiety
  - Mindfulness
  - Stress
---

## **Find Balance and Control During a Pandemic Sheltering**

### _Great tips to not let loss and fear control you._

By [Denise Trexler- Solomon, LCSW](https://newdirectionspgh.com/team/denise-trexler-solomon-lcsw/)

Coronavirus. COVID-19. When we hear these words, arrrgh! – we immediately feel a loss of control and fear.

![control - coping with covid new directions counseling](https://newdirectionspgh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/control-and-no-control.jpg)

_Thank you to CounselingTeacher.com for this image._



Some anxiety helps protects us from harm. It assists us to do things necessary to stay safe during this time. But when we overthink, we feel an intense loss of control which becomes overwhelming. In these uncertain times it is important to think about what you can control.

Here are some great tips on staying present, focused and balanced:

- **Be safe.** Follow professional recommendations on [hygiene](https://newdirectionspgh.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/coping-with-covid-19-coronavirus.md). It is hard, but you cannot control what others are doing. Demonstrate to others by doing it yourself.
- **Find balance.** Don’t overdo it. Find the calmness with doing what you need to do.
- **Establish a routine.** Try to get up at the same time, shower, and dress for the day. Do your regular daily hygiene. Make a plan for your day that includes your needs, your mini goals and down time.
- **Limit the news and social media**. Find a few trusted outlets and get the important, relevant information then move on.
- **Connect socially**. Practice social distancing but still use technology to connect with friends and family; phone calls, video calls, text.
- **Self-care.** Hydrate, eat balanced meals. Practice healthy sleep hygiene. If you are working from home take breaks, get up and stretch, walk around the house. Get some fresh air. Exercise, it can improve your mood.
- **Be mindful.** [Be mindful](https://newdirectionspgh.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/one-second-mindfulness.md) of your present surroundings by using grounding (identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, 1 thing you taste). Take deep breaths throughout.

**NEED MORE? Register for One of our Telehealth Groups**

[Telehealth Group- Coping with Covid –](https://newdirectionspgh.com/counseling-therapy/) starting Thurs. April 23 to share more about your experience, learn mindfulness skills and ease relationship tension.

[Positive Parenting during a Pandemic](https://newdirectionspgh.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/contact-us.md) – starting Tues, April 28 7-8pm – parenting tips, self care, and more to cope with elementary school kid needs.