6 San Diego Therapists on How to Survive the COVID-19 Lock Down
After more than 2 months under COVID-19 lock down, you’re either feeling like a self-isolation expert or wondering how much longer your patience is going to hold. If you’re feeling weary of being home—or just need some tried-and-true suggestions for your next takeout meal—our San Diego therapists are here to share what they’re learning about surviving the pandemic.
As always, if you need mental health support, our San Diego therapists are here for you. We hired a new intake specialist right before the lock down. Call Elizabeth at (760) 283-7000 and she can match you with the right therapist to get you through the pandemic stress or whatever other issue you are struggling with, whether it’s infidelity or depression or something else entirely.
Megan Weller
Top Mental Health Tips for the Pandemic
“Reduce feelings of isolation, loneliness, and shame by anticipating connection with others, versus focusing on/anticipating being alone. Be intentional about connecting with safe people in ways that are safe for you during the shelter-in-place. Just knowing you will talk to someone tomorrow can reduce your feelings of isolation and loneliness today and increase your sense that you are valuable, lovable, and important.”
How to Stay Active at Home When You’re Not Motivated
“Download an exercise app and have a workout buddy in your home or virtually!”
Favorite Restaurant Open for Takeout in San Diego
“Beach Break Cafe in Oceanside for a yummy breakfast!”
Read about Megan Weller and her approach to therapy.
Adam Erlenbusch
Top Mental Health Tips for the Pandemic
“Maintain some structure during the day. Plan ‘productivity hours” when you challenge yourself to complete tasks or cleaning.
Find moments to implement self care (meditation, mindfulness, exercise, hygiene, bath). Practice gratitude.
Meditation practice before bed and waking (use two-syllable word to breath in and out with), or practice a mantra and think about three things you are grateful for that day. Then be mindful of three things you hope to implement tomorrow.”
How to Stay Active at Home When You’re Not Motivated
“Source an accountability person you feel safe to check in with. Take sunset walks with someone where you use time to discuss what’s on your mind relating to COVID-19. I’ve been practicing this each night with my kids. It’s yielded some open disclosure about their worries and what they miss.”
Favorite Restaurant Open for Takeout in San Diego
“Ponce’s, Thai, Board and Brew, Peet’s Coffee, Bird Rock Coffee, Las Olas, The Taco Stand.”
Read about Adam Erlenbusch and his approach to therapy.
Kristi Mears
Top Mental Health Tips for the Pandemic
“Take off the pressure. It’s easy to compare our lives to those on social media that are choosing to take on new habits, learning new skills and so on, but everyone responds differently to change. Focus on being okay with how you are processing the constant changes that are associated with COVID-19 and learning a new way of life.”
How to Stay Active at Home When You’re Not Motivated
“Instead of waiting for a feeling of motivation, look for ways to build momentum. Momentum is very encouraging and can help boost motivation. In addition, spend some time writing out realistic and clear focuses for each day. When we give intention to an area in our life, we experience growth.”
Favorite Restaurant Open for Takeout in San Diego
“My go-to for takeout during quarantine is Grub in Carmel Mountain. Their honey Sriracha wings and jalapeño fries make the perfect combo!”
Read about Kristi Mears and her approach to therapy.
Charles Threatt
Top Mental Health Tips for the Pandemic
Have a schedule that you generally follow each day, but still make time to try something new during this time we are less busy. Maybe it’s a new hobby, or you could ask a friend for a book recommendation that is outside of your comfort zone. Make sure to stay in touch with family and friends, too.”
How to Stay Active at Home When You’re Not Motivated
“Use this time to establish the habit of praying or meditating. It will help with anxiety and depression during the lock down. Choose a specific goal, like 10 minutes every morning.You can even find a friend to join you virtually.”
Favorite Restaurant Open for Takeout in San Diego
“Urban Pizza or Shak Mediterranean.”
Read about Charles Threatt and his approach to therapy.
Curtis Eklund
Top Mental Health Tips for the Pandemic
“Connect with closest loved ones on your needs and desires during this time, without requiring them to perform anything specific.
Engage in play when possible. Sports, board games, walking your dogs are all good options.
Clean! Cleaning refreshes the mind. When the environment is clean and uncluttered, the inner landscape feels less burdened. Purge unnecessary items. Let go of “might have beens” like the gear for that hobby you never started.”
How to Stay Active at Home When You’re Not Motivated
“Do something new. Forming new brain pathways is hard, but it can be extremely rewarding and cyclical in motivating future results.
Form a team and share about what you WILL accomplish. Update each other on progress and celebrate small wins. Resist the urge to compare your progress to anyone but the person you were yesterday. Even then, tread cautiously and practice self-affirmation.
Get kinesthetic. Blood flow improves brain function and mood. Dance. Jog. Lift heavy things. Skateboard. Box. Martial arts. Yoga. Pilates. Calisthenics.
Get outside and have NO agenda. Spend at least 10 minutes in nature daily.”
Favorite Restaurant Open for Takeout in San Diego
“Chick-fil-A or Epic Wings-N-Things.”
Read about Curtis Eklund and his approach to therapy.
Cory Anderson
Top Mental Health Tips for the Pandemic
“My first tip is to do the next 2 things on this list :) My second is to be intentional about your life during this time. Plan for rest/spiritual time, plan for work time, plan for play time. Thirdly, when you are doing these activities, try and be as present as possible. For instance, when playing a board game with your kids, try staying focused on the game, their faces, and the fun you are having and not get distracted by thoughts of chores or work.”
How to Stay Active at Home When You’re Not Motivated
“I like the bite-sized approach to this; it’s what I’ve been using. I have an app, Fitbod, and I can tell it I want to do 30 minute workouts using my TRX. It then sets up a new workout each day for me and I know it’s doable. Or if I’m not up for that, maybe just a walk or a short run. Even if all you can do is a few sit-ups, you will feel great about that, and hopefully it will lead to feeling better about yourself and wanting to workout even more!”
Favorite Restaurant Open for Takeout in San Diego
“Urge Gastropub in San Marcos or Rancho Bernardo, hands down! And for some tasty Mexican, Pancho’s in Escondido has been great.”