During these troubled times, we are listening a lot. We listen to our clients or students who are frightened and feeling a sense of loss of innocence and control. There are those who might be re-experiencing earlier traumas and perhaps grieving. We listen to the staff we work with so closely. For those of us who are lucky enough to have families, we listen to their concerns, fears and anxieties about living during these uncertain times: threats of things to come, financial and safety concerns. And for those of us who fit into the category of 'people just like to talk to me,' we listen to the guy in the grocery store ask the all important bottom-line question, "What's this world coming to?" We have been listening to others a lot.

This brief article of a dozen thoughts, hopefully, will serve as a reminder and guideline of how to listen and care for ourselves so that we may be able, ready and well enough to continue listening and caring for others.

Connect With Others
Use your own resources to help you process your reactions. Talk about it. Peer supervision, friends and colleagues may be helpful with this.

Pay Attention To Subtle Signs
Make note of what is triggering your sense of judgment and/or cynicism. Use your body as a mechanism for receiving these messages. Watch for subtle signs of burnout so that you can make sure you are doing 'your own work' as needed.

Swap Time With Others
Make the time and space so you have time for self-caring. This is not the time for self-neglect. Maintain your normal self-care routines.

Release Physically
Allow your body to pour out, so that tension doesn't build up. Let loose with outdoor activities, dance and/or exercise!

Balance Group Time With Solitude
Our need to be with others needs to be balanced with 'alone' time.

Feed The Soul
Watch your nutrition. Short-term comfort foods may yield long-term unwanted results.

Practice Skills To Stay In Present
Do what you need to stay in the moment in the midst of the unknown. Use breathing exercises, prayers, imagery, or meditations. Notice the seasons. Play with the kids. Look for beauty and joy. Watch how your feelings and reactions come and go, normally.

Watch For 'Excessive Behaviors'
The need to control during uncertain times may breed this behavior in all of us. So keep an eye out for unhealthy expressions of this. Refocus on real feelings underneath the urge to control, like fear, sadness or anger that are to be expected now.

Create Or Attend Gatherings For Healing
Develop an environment for personal healing in community, like church, synagogue or temple or simple meditation or prayer circles.

Recognize Leisure As Time To Re-create
Watch movies, read or discuss a book, enjoy nature. Allow yourself to have enjoyable and 'normal' moments and leave the guilt and fear behind.

Start A Personal Project
Give yourself ten to fifteen minutes a day for a creative activity or outlet.

Monitor Your Exposure To The Media
Beware of the 'need' to watch or listen to the news 24/7. Recognize the value and limits of TV, radio and newspapers.