As the coronavirus outbreak continues around the world, the pandemic is affecting thousands of people. Many are frightened about catching the disease, but others are becoming stressed and depressed from the constant news and now the isolation. Humans are social creations so for many of us being isolated from loved ones and activities feels like “prison.” We know this is a trying a situation, but I hope some of these tips help ease some of your anxiety during this quarantine.
Limit the amount of news you watch or read. While being informed about the latest updates is helpful, it also often makes you feel more anxious and isolated. Seeing the virus toll rise daily and more stores, schools, and restaurants close daily often just leaves us feeling hopeless. Take a break from social media as the hype is only making it worse.
Remind yourself that more than 80% of the COVID-19 cases are mild and keep panic at bay. Have important numbers nearby, such as your primary doctor, your city’s COVID-19 hotline, and the nearest hospital, just in case.
Recognize the positive spin of the quarantine. You get to spend more time with your kids who were away at college. You’re spending more time with your spouse who usually works long hours.
Schedule time to connect with your loved ones virtually. Phone calls are great, but sometimes you want to see their faces so schedule a video chat through apps like FaceTime or Skype. That way, you can still talk to family and friends on a regular basis. In fact, you could still even have Sunday family dinners, just virtually.
Exercise daily. If it’s nice out and your state allows it, opt for a walk or a jog. You’ll get some fresh air, reduce your stress level, and burn some calories. You can also find some great indoor work-outs on the Internet to do without much equipment.
Learn how to meditate. Taking time to deep breathe each day will release some stress make you better able to cope with the situation. Consider writing in your journal of what you’re feeling.
Make time to cultivate new hobbies with your family. This would be the ideal time to teach your children to cook some cherished family recipes. Or may the family can spend an afternoon coloring or scrapbooking old photos. Coloring reduces stress and there are many coloring books for adults and children. Start a family game night or select a new show to binge on Netflix. Make some memories with your family.
These are just a few suggestions to help you cope while you’re in quarantine. If you need more assistance, please contact us at (510) 949-8668.
