While social distancing has been adopted as a proactive measure to protect our physical health, its important to maintain social connections and look after our mental health, too. Here are some ways to care for yourself during times of uncertainty.

Important information regarding CAPS

As of Friday, Mar. 13 Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) will be operating on a reduced service schedule.

At this time CAPS will be providing walk-in services online. Please call 303-492-2277 to set up a walk-in appointment.

Additionally, CAPS will continue to provide individual therapy and psychiatric follow-up appointments online based on provider availability. At this time all groups and workshops are cancelled.

Due to licensure laws, all students receiving CAPS services must be present in the state of Colorado at the time of their appointment. Our staff will provide support and work to connect students who are out of state with local resources.

Given the sensitive nature of what we do, we are working diligently to provide the best services we can at this time. We appreciate your understanding and support. Please continue to check the CAPS website for updates as the situation evolves, or contact the CAPS office at 303-492-2277.

Routines give us structure. They also provide comfort and a level of predictability to our lives. Recent changes have disrupted many of our routines, but that doesnt mean we should let them go completely. Try to stick to routines that you enjoy or modify your routines to fit your new schedule. This can help you manage additional stress or anxiety that may come with major life changes.

For instance, if you usually get coffee with friends on the weekend, try to recreate a new variation of that routine. Consider taking your coffee to-go to enjoy the fresh air outside and get out of your room. If you are missing your friends, schedule a time to video chat with them like you normally would in person.

While many routines help us stay connected socially, they also play a role in our class schedules, homework and other school-related activities. If youre struggling to stay motivated or feel overwhelmed by the transition to online classes, try to create a new routine for yourself:

News cycles, social media and other outlets can sometimes bombard us with negative news. If you start to feel overwhelmed, consider taking a step back to focus on the good things that are happening, too.

One way to emphasize the positives is to practice gratitude. Grab a journal and start writing 3 things youre looking forward to each morning and 3 things youre grateful for each night. Gratitude can be as simple as getting your favorite cup of coffee or the warm weather. You can also download free gratitude journaling apps like Grateful (iOS) or Gratitude (iOS, Android).

Practicing mindfulness is another great way to focus on good in the moment. If youre feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, try to tune in to yourself. Turn off all distractions and take 5 deep breaths. This will help your body calm down so you can focus on being present. Paying close attention to your senses can also help you feel more grounded.

If youre unsure where to begin, try out free mindfulness apps like Jour (iOS). This app can help you check in on your mood and practice mindfulness throughout the day. Smiling Mind (iOS, Android) is another good option that coaches you through a variety of 10-minute mindfulness activities each day.

Change impacts us all differently. We also process our emotions differently. While we may think we can handle things ourselves, asking for help is an important component of self-care because we cant always manage everything on our own.

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) will continue to provide services to students on a reduced schedule. They will be providing walk-ins online through their telehealth platform. You can call 970-492-2277 to schedule a walk-in appointment. CAPS will also continue to see students for individual therapy and psychiatric follow-up appointments online based on provider availability. Therapy groups and workshops are not available at this time.

For students who are interested in self-help, there are a number of resources available online. CU Boulder offers SilverCloud, an online mental health resource for students struggling with stress, anxiety and depression. Students can complete activities and learn techniques for managing their mental health.

Students can also access online platforms like Happify. This free online program provides tools and activities to help you manage your thoughts and feelings. They also offer free apps for iOS and Android, so you can take your mental health care on the go.

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