“I have nothing to do all day”
“I have constant fear and worry that someone in my family or circle of friends is going to be affected by this disease”
“I have difficulty sleeping and concentrating due to constant stress”
“Alcohol seems to be the only substance which keeps me going”
“All gyms are shut; this constant eating will make me obese.”
“I am stuck inside”
Panic, fretfulness and uncertainty can be overwhelming, resulting in strong negative emotions among adults and children. The first thing you should do is try to reframe your negative thoughts with positivity. Reword “I am stuck inside” to “I can finally use this time to focus on my home and myself”. As miserable as the world may seem to you right now, try to take advantage of this spare time and refocus your attention from the external to the internal. What I mean by this is to set goals each day, use this time to work on something you’ve always wanted to do – it could be learning a new language, reorganizing your closet, perfecting your cooking skills (or in my case not being afraid to try and cook for my family. No one can criticize because I’m the only game in town right now!) Ask yourself how can I come out of this feeling stronger for getting through this in a positive way?
Tips to manage Stress & Anxiety during this time:
1. Stop stressing yourself with continuous coronavirus coverage – Working from home, or being idle from social obligations may give you too much time to obsess over the constant information being passed around. Choosing only a few credible sources for a limited amount of time each day when you want an update is the best solution to prevent sending your emotions into a tailspin of negativity and fear.
2. Create your own Quarantine Ritual – use this time to do something special or meaningful each day. It could be eating healthy, sleeping regularly, starting a journal where you reflect each day, knitting, painting, making a scrapbook or even doing basic strength training exercises such as stretches or planks at home. Keeping yourself occupied during this time will help you look forward to each new day and also prevent your stress levels from rising. Personally, I’ve started working on and completing a new updated website. After 6 years without a bit of modernization, I’m finding the time to create my new site and I am happy to have this project. There are things to create for all of us…think hard.
3. An untidy surrounding can lead to a frenzied mind – With the entire world feeling uncertain outside of your home, keep the inside orderly and serene. Everything needs to be clean and it’s a place to create a sense of calm. For instance, eat at the dining table rather than lazing in bed, work at your desk instead of the sofa, clean, clean and clean some more. It feels so good to know that your space is sparkly and safe from disease. Keeping your own surroundings in order will minimize the feeling of unease and anxiety.
4. Use this time to reconnect – Facetime, call or use Zoom to connect with people with whom you were once close but lost touch with. It could be a family member, an old friend or someone you trust and want to share your feelings with. We might not be able to physically see one another but we can make use of technology and connect. At this point in time, everyone is eager and would be happy to rekindle that connection or bond they once shared with you.
5. Focus on someone else rather than yourself – Helping those who are in need during this time would be a win-win situation for both. Seeing that you were able to bring a smile or lighten someone’s day would definitely give you a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of pride and make you feel better about the person you’re becoming.
