Sections
  • Home & Style
  • Editors’ Picks
  • Events Calendar
  • Food
  • Health
  • News & Politics
  • Longreads
  • Our Events
  • Parenting
  • Real Estate
  • Shopping
  • Things to Do
  • Travel
  • Weddings
Reader Favorites
  • 100 Best Restaurants
  • Takeout Guide
  • Cutest Dog Contest
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
Washington’s Best
  • Apartment Rentals
  • DC Travel Guide
  • Dentists
  • Doctors
  • Financial Advisers
  • Health Experts
  • Home Improvement Experts
  • Industry Leaders
  • Lawyers
  • Mortgage Professionals
  • Pet Care
  • Private Schools
  • Real Estate Agents
  • Restaurants
  • Retirement Communities
  • Wedding Vendors
More
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
© 2021 Washingtonian Media Inc.
Privacy Policy
All Rights Reserved
 Rss
Skip to content
Washingtonian.com
  • Search
  • Subscribe
  • Menu
  • News & Politics
  • Things to Do
  • Food
  • Health
  • Shopping
  • Home & Style
  • Real Estate
  • Weddings
  • Travel

  • 100 Best Restaurants
  • Takeout Guide
  • Cutest Dog Contest
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
  • Trending Now in Health
  • runner's stomach
  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Fit Check
  • Nusta Spa
Health  |  Things to Do

7 Meditation Tips to Help Combat Covid-19 Anxiety

Breathe in, breathe out.

Written by Emma Francois
| Published on March 16, 2020
Tweet Share
Coronavirus 2020

About Coronavirus 2020

Washingtonian is keeping you up to date on the coronavirus around DC.

More from Coronavirus 2020

Battling feelings of cabin fever, stress, and fear? Two DC-area yoga instructors have a few ideas that could help.

1. Breathe
“Breath is a powerful tool that can help you feel stable when everything around you feels shaky,” says Alix Montes, co-creator of DC’s Vibras + Vinyasa. “If you start to get fidgety or anxious, close your eyes and take a few deep inhales and exhales. Breathe in to the count of 4, 3, 2, 1; hold it at the top for the same four-count; and then release to the same count. You’ll notice an immediate change in how you feel.”

2. Try a visual meditation
“Meditate on feeling safe: I am safe,” says Terrey Lebowitz, a Falls Church-based yoga instructor. “Meditate on places and people who help you feel safe. Meditation is about clearing your thoughts and objectively letting them arise and then letting them go. So imagine you’re doing that at the beach or at a mountain top or wherever you love to be surrounded by people you love. The key is to feel safe.”

3. Express gratitude
“In times like this, a grounding practice is to recognize all that you have to be grateful for,” Montes says. “For no reason this morning, as I was setting up my space, I started reciting the things I’m grateful for. I have a full time job that allows me to work remotely and collect income. I have my own living space that is suited for my needs, etc.”

4. Establish a mantra. Repeat it every day.
“My favorite mantra is: I am light. I am love,” Lebowitz says.

5. Embrace natural light
“If you have windows or can find a space with windows, embrace the natural light,” Montes says. “It makes a difference if you can’t find ways to go outside for a walk or find a private space outside.”

6. Move
“This doesn’t need to be anything intense,” Montes says. “A few simple yoga poses like mountain pose to a forward fold can calm you down and get your blood moving at the same time. Go for a walk. If you’re nervous, take a walk up and down the steps.”

7. Be kind to yourself and others
“One thing is for certain: Kindness matters more than ever,” Lebowitz says. “People show their most vulnerable sides in a crisis. So knowing that may help people extend extra kindness to strangers, friends and neighbors.”

Don’t Miss DC’s Best Events: Get Our Things to Do Newsletter

Arts, culture, and things to do in DC.

Or, see all of our newsletters. By signing up, you agree to our terms.
More: CoronavirusCoronavirus 2020COVID-19Mental HealthOutdoor YogaSelf Caresocial distancingyoga
Join the conversation!
Share Tweet
Emma Francois

Emma Francois is an editorial fellow at Washingtonian covering everything from food to fashion. She graduated from Georgetown University and has previously worked for USA Today, the Georgetown Voice, and the Chautauquan Daily.

Most Popular in Health

1

Meet People Who Have Used Quarantine to Get in the Best Shape of Their Lives

2
Runner’s Stomach

8 Tips for Avoiding Runner’s Stomach

3

The Healthiest and Worst Dishes to Order at Chipotle

4

The Best and Worst Things to Order at Cava Grill If You Want a Healthy Meal

5

5 Exercises to Get Rid of Cellulite

Washingtonian Magazine

March 2021: The Influencers

March 2021: The Influencers

View Issue
Subscribe

Get Us on Social

We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day

Get Us on Social

We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day

Related

Georgetown Is Installing Deck Panels to Widen Its Sidewalks

Toki Underground Cheap Eats 2016

Here’s What’s on a Bunch of Locals’ Post-Pandemic Bucket Lists (Besides Going to the 9:30 Club)

Tonight’s Season-Opening Nationals Game Has Been Called Off

Virginia Will Begin Vaccinating the General Public Starting April 18

More from Health

Meet People Who Have Used Quarantine to Get in the Best Shape of Their Lives

A New Medical Practice on U Street Is Reimagining Women’s Health

Indoor Fitness Classes Are Back on in DC Starting Today

DC-Area VIPs Are Bombarding This Concierge Doctor for Covid Vaccines

Anne Mahlum Is Resigning as CEO of Solidcore

Where to Find Free Virtual and Outdoor Workout Classes in the DC Area

DC-Area Fitness Instructors Are Leaving Big-Name Groups to Launch Their Own Businesses During Covid

How Will Daylight Saving Time Affect Us During the Pandemic?

© 2021 Washingtonian Media Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Washingtonian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Privacy Policy and Opt-Out
 Rss
Get the best news, delivered weekly.
By signing up, you agree to our terms.
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs