In coping with crisis, try to be your kindest self

A reminder of what really matters in the world, from The Kindness Rock Project, www.facebook.com/TKRPKels/. Credit: Dr. William Valenti.

This whole thing has made me restless and anxious. The convergence of the upcoming holidays, LGBT oppression, world affairs, politics and COVID pandemic/ flu season/ RSV jamming up hospitals is a lot to process.

So, today, I decided to listen to music and watch some YouTube videos. 

While I was puttering around, I came across this “Be Kind” rock given to me by a friend at the beginning of the pandemic.

The goofy face on the other side of the kindness rock (www.facebook.com/TKRPkels) makes you want to smile back. Credit: Dr. William Valenti.

The rock just seemed to send a message to me this morning when I was poking around and cleaning the kitchen counter. It smiled back at me.  We all need some smiles these days.

The recent violence at a gay bar in Colorado Springs is traumatic and troubling. As a physician, my reaction is to try to help in some way.

Self-care comes to mind as a way of trying to respond to this kind of event, and to manage anxiety and stress for ourselves and our LGBTQ communities.

Keep up the basics of taking care of yourself. Take a walk, cook some food, meet up with friends and talk, read a book, listen to music, take a bath, meditate. Get enough sleep. Practice deep breathing. Avoid using substances to treat yourself.

One way to try to short-circuit the bad behavior in the world is just be kind to people. Be kind to yourself and be kind to others. Do a good deed.

Through it all, be honest about your feelings. If you need help, please call a crisis line.

National LGBT crisis line - https://www.lgbthotline.org/peer-chat.html or 888 843 4564

The Trevor Project for youth -  https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

LGBT National Help Center. They offer a national LGBT youth talk line: 800-246-7743

211 Crisis Line in Rochester.

For more, go to www.ventureforthe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Rochester-Region-Resource-Guide-2021.pdf