Well a lot has changed since my last post. What a time to be alive. I ended up taking off for a few weeks unexpectedly because I was sick (and no, not with coronavirus). Unfortunately because I’ve been dealing with this and other crises at work non-stop I haven’t been able to write up until this moment, but I’m hoping to start posting again once a week. Today I thought I’d focus on some ways to deal with the coronavirus. I will be honest, in some ways, as an introvert, practicing social distancing has been nice. I have found that I really like working from home, and I feel that I’m able to be much more productive when I’m not in my office. Even so, I’m not immune to the anxiety and stress of this pandemic. I was just sick for weeks, not days, and I really do not want to be sick again. I don’t want to see friends, family, or even strangers get sick from this virus. I don’t want to see the economy struggle, see people lose their jobs, or lose mine. Even as a younger, healthy person this pandemic is very concerning. It can be very difficult to deal with these feelings of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and cabin fever as we are practicing social distancing to keep our communities safe. With that in mind, here are some things I’ve found to help manage these feelings:
Finding hobbies and new things to try at home.
Being stuck in one place day to day can get old fast, but I’ve tried to mix things up by playing board games and doing puzzles. You could also try new cooking or baking recipes or whip up some old favorites. Spending time at home has also given me a chance to read the books I own, but have never read, and re-read old favorites. If you need to escape this world for a bit, I recommend digging into a fantasy series like Harry Potter or A Song of Ice and Fire. Now is a good chance to catch up on any TV shows you’re behind on or haven’t had a chance to start, same goes for films. Finally, I’ve been coloring in an adult coloring book for relaxation (which can reduce stress) before bed to help calm me down so I can go to sleep.
Keep up a routine.
Having a routine can benefit your mental health. At times like these where so much in our world has changed, it’s important to keep things feeling as normal as possible, and having a routine can help. Go to bed and wake up at the same time. Keep up your normal routine for getting ready for work, even if you are working from home. Eat your meals at the same time each day. If you have kids, keep them to a schedule of activities. We are living in unusual times, but it doesn’t have to feel that way all the time.
Focus on gratitude.
It is so easy to be focused on the negative that we forget to be grateful for what we do have. I’m grateful to have a job, when so many people have been laid off. I’m grateful that I have the privilege to work from home. I’m so thankful that I am not sick, but that if I do get sick I have paid sick leave through my job when many that need it do not. I’m lucky to live in an area with multiple major hospital networks, so that if I need medical care I’m more likely to receive it. I am grateful to be surrounded by books, records, and movies to entertain me when I’m stuck at home. When you start to think about it, for so many of us there’s a lot to be grateful for.
Limiting news intake.
There’s a lot of news coming in throughout the day, and while it can be tempting to constantly check for updates, consuming too much news can lead to an increase in your anxiety and stress levels. To combat this, try setting a limit on how often you are checking the news. I have been limiting myself to checking the news once in the morning, once in the evening, and once after I eat my lunch. Try coming up with a schedule that works for you and sticking to it.
Keep things in perspective.
It’s been very hard to watch the government restrictions being put in place over the last couple weeks and not be concerned. But it’s important to think logically rather than emotionally and put things into perspective. These restrictions and measures being put into place are not a confirmation that the worst-case scenario is imminent, rather they are there to reduce the spread of this virus to make sure our healthcare system is not overwhelmed. There’s a gap in between the number of hospital beds we have, and the number we will need for COVID-19 patients. That is the focus, slowing the spread so everyone who gets infected can receive the medical care they need. This is not the apocalypse.
Focus on what you can control.
As much as I’d like to have this super power, I can’t make the coronavirus magically go away, but we can all do our part by focusing on what we can control to reduce the spread of this virus and help our communities. Stay home if you are sick. Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces around you. Make sure you have enough nonperishable foods on hand, but don’t buy more than you need, so that everyone can have enough food. Ask elderly neighbors if they need help with their grocery shopping. Donate blood if you can. If you are able, buy gift cards to local businesses so they have cash flow while they are shut down. Last but not least, practice social distancing by staying away from others and do not go out into public spaces for things beyond necessities such as groceries and medications.
Keep Socializing (Just Not In-Person)
Social distancing does not have to mean cutting yourself off from everyone. You can still check in with friends and family over FaceTime or a phone call. You can also try organizing a group meetup over video chat for things like a Wine Night, Happy Hour, or Book Club.
Self-Care
Now more than ever, it’s important to keep taking care of yourself. Since most of us are stuck at home with nowhere to go, try to get a full 8 hours of sleep each night. Get some exercise in each day—there are plenty of no equipment workout routines you can Google (or start here) that can be done from home. Finally, the most important form of self-care for me at the moment is my daily walk. Try taking a walk around your neighborhood every day. For me personally, I find this to be a great way to relieve my stress. Not only can fresh air and sunlight boost your mood, but walking is also good for your immune system.
How are you coping with COVID-19? Are you doing anything fun from home? Let me know in the comments!
Hope you all are well. Stay safe and stay healthy!