• Take care of your body: Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Try to come up with a routine that includes physical activity, like a daily family walk.
• Connect with others: Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member (while still practicing social distancing). Maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system.
• Take breaks: Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Remind yourself that this time and these feelings will pass. Try to do activities you usually enjoy, or experiment with new activities.
• Stay informed: When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from official sources. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information.
• Avoid too much exposure to news: Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting and anxiety provoking to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.
• Seek help when needed: If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, reach out for mental health support.
  • The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24 hour provincial aboriginal crisis line for Adults/Elders (250-723-4050), Child/Youth (250-723-2040), Toll Free Line (18005888717).
  • For mental health, addiction and alternative care service support, please reach out to the Community Health & Wellness team:
    Phone: 604-982-0332       Email: wellness@squamish.net

Cultural Self-Care Ideas: