Are you okay being alone?

Something that is difficult for many people right now is to be alone. Some of this is fear about how terrible it would be to be in the hospital without people we love at our side. We feel for people in this situation.

The more immediate reality for most of us is that our nervous systems are more hypervigilant than usual and that we are alone with our mind. With the higher level of fear generally, we are more likely to have catastrophic thoughts. Our inner critic might come back with a vengeance. We can’t distract ourselves as easily right now with our usual routines. We might find ourselves with strong cravings or addictions.

Here in Nova Scotia Canada, we can’t go to parks, restaurants are take-out only, and driving is limited to essential errands. Our premier is insisting we “Stay the Blazes Home”. I am fortunate to live in an area with few people and I can be outdoors whenever I like. Some people I know can only leave their home for an hour a day and some not at all. Our freedom and mobility is limited by our commitment to helping to slow the spread of Covid-19, our fear of getting the virus, and legally by Emergency Measures and Shelter in Place orders.

Many people like to get out and about, visiting with people and running errands or shopping. It is a way to connect with other people and we miss it when we can’t. Some people are home by…