Our mental health problems don’t go away during times of crisis; they get worse and are often the first thing that gets cut from our routine and budget, instead of being prioritized. If we don’t care for ourselves – both our physical and mental health – we won’t be able to take care of others. This pandemic, although difficult and tragic, is a beautiful opportunity to address what’s going on in your life.
Challenges We’re Facing
As I said before, this is a difficult time we are all going through. Every one of us is affected by Coronavirus and experiencing high levels of stress, which is manifesting itself in physical pain – headaches, back and neck pain, and increased or decreased sleep.
People who struggle with anxiety are feeling out of control – our schedules, routines, and things we once had control of are now out of our control. We can’t do what we want, go where we want, eat what we want, or be with the people we want to be with.
People who live alone are dealing with loneliness and isolation. Parents have to balance working from home and becoming teachers overnight. Some students and teachers have to adjust to online school. There is so much on our plates right now. Adjusting to these new routines can be challenging and exhausting, especially because we’re also dealing with the fear of the virus itself. But there are things we can do to feel better and get through this.
Unexpected Positive Outcomes
We often feel like the world is going to fall apart if we don’t do 10 things per minute, but it’s important to slow down and take a break. Even though we’re “stuck at home,” we still have so much on our plates, but this is an opportunity for us to learn how to be with ourselves. This might be difficult, but it’s not a bad thing.
We used to have to make time for self-care, but now we are being forced to do it. One of my clients told me their first reaction about staying home was, “I am going to lose my mind,” but now they realize they are finding time to relax, be with their family, and actually have fun doing it. We get to connect with our loved ones in a different way, and we’re learning who and what really matters to us.
Some people are finding that they are eating healthier and saving money because they can’t go out to restaurants. We don’t have to squeeze in going to the gym and can exercise from home – even if it’s 10 minutes. We are learning new skills, trying new things and hobbies, and are given an opportunity to learn more about ourselves.
Tips on Coping During the Pandemic
Some of us thrive in challenging situations, and others struggle in the form of panic, sadness, or rudeness. We can always learn new ways to react in ways that honor who we are and help us to stay connected and in peace. Here are some ways to feel better about the situation and yourself:
- Be kind to yourself. We are all struggling with this. This can feel isolating, like you’re the only one who is having a hard time, but everyone else in the world is also dealing with this new world. So don’t be hard on yourself, and be proud of any accomplishment, no matter how small. You don’t have to be totally adjusted to your new schedule, yet. This is hard, so be gentle with yourself.
- Remember that this will end. It is not permanent, and life will go on after the virus, even if it is different from our lives before the virus.
- Every time you feel overwhelmed, or if you think something has to be done immediately or in a rush and feel stressed, say to yourself, “it’s OK to take it slow. This is reasonable. I am doing what I can. That is the best I can do. I am proud of myself.”
- We are all in this together. We have an opportunity to keep our eyes open to appreciate a sense of community, local, virtual, and global. We can choose to be kind or to panic. What is your preference? Which of those makes you feel good?
- What are the things you can control today? Are you going to homeschool your children or let them play? What are you going to make for dinner? How will you move your body? Can you do something nice for someone else? You have the power to choose what you will do in this moment. There might be some restrictions on how we live our lives, but you are still in control of a lot of things, including your thoughts and behaviors.
- To the parent who is home schooling: It feels like new waters! You can give yourself some grace. There is a lot going on and not everything has to stick to a strict schedule.
- If you are working from home and have kids, it’s OK for others to hear your children in the background during a work call. The whole world is like this.
- We can reach more support using technology – video call. The choices are endless. We can choose not to be alone, is not the ideal but let’s keep in mind that it could be worse.
- Support is now even easier to access using technology. The choices are endless. We can choose not to be alone, and although it’s not ideal, friends, family members, and therapists are only a phone or video call away. Therapists who previously didn’t offer teletherapy (phone or video therapy), are now all offering this service. You’ll be able to connect with a therapist and get the help you need right from your own home.
Finding Hope for the Future
How is life going to look when this is over? How will you feel when you look back at this time? I think we can take this opportunity to evaluate what we are learning about ourselves during this pandemic, and see what was helpful and keep doing it. Me? I learned that I love doing crafts. It is relaxing, so probably when this ends, I will take a class to improve my skills. Did you become closer with someone because of this pandemic? Perhaps an elderly neighbor or family member? Did you learn something new about your partner, children, or whoever you are living with that strengthened your relationship? These are all positive outcomes from a tragic and difficult times. Keep hope for the future, because this pandemic will end. Although we don’t know when this will be all over, it’s important to remember that the virus isn’t the only thing that’s contagious – so are panic and positivity.
If your anxiety, depression, or stress are unmanageable, I’m only a phone call away. I offer remote therapy to those living in Delaware and Florida, and am here to help.
