It’s been a tough couple of weeks.

On the surface, the biggest changes for me are the absence of vigorous exercise taken in the form of Pickleball and people in the streets of my town when I’m out walking. Video chats over wine and coffee don’t exactly replace in-person meetings, but they certainly make it possible to laugh and smile with familiar faces. Two and a half weeks hasn’t been long enough to claim I’ve been deprived of going out to dinner or the movies. And for a good part of most days, I’m at my desk, as usual, working on my next book and advising clients by phone and video. (I’m so glad I’ve made Executive Advisory, a.k.a., Clarity-On-Call, a substantial part of my business at this point! It’s perfect for me and my clients.) So in many ways things are not that unusual for me.

So why does it feel so bad? Why do I feel so discombobulated?

There are lots of possible reasons, of course. I’m worried about family members, friends, clients, colleagues, and neighbors. I’m crossing my fingers for business owners who are making heroic efforts to shift their operations to address shortages and other needs. I’m thinking constantly about those who have lost their jobs, those staying home in dangerous or stressful households, and those working way too much because they have nothing else to do. I feel for those without technology who are truly isolated. And I’m afraid many of the small businesses in my town will never open their doors again.

If I, one of the lucky ones right now, am this stressed, I can’t imagine the pressure many others feel.

What I do know, is that I need to do my best to eat well, sleep well, and stay physically active. I know it’s more important than ever to connect with others and I am super thankful for video. I also know that the best medicine is to help others, whether it’s reaching out to neighbors and colleagues, buying gift cards that I will probably never use from my favorite local businesses, forgoing refunds for concerts and plays in support of the artists, donating food to the local food pantry, cutting people slack who are clearly stressed, and giving blood at the next blood drive. We will get through this together.

What’s keeping you sane and upbeat?