How to cope with COVID-19

Thousands of people are getting sick daily, businesses are shutting down, schools are closing, and grocery store shelves are emptying out. No matter how much we try to sugar coat the situation, this pandemic will have an impact on almost everyone.

Now that we have that out of the way breathe! You are not alone, we are all navigating through this journey together, so if the COVID-19 pandemic is stressing you out or giving you anxiety panic, here are some tips I believe many of you can benefit from to help cope with this crisis.

Control your media intake

It is important to stay inform on the event that is going on, but do not allow yourself to be drown or overwhelmed by the news. It is not just the virus that is contagious, negative thoughts from outside source could also play a dangerous impact on our well-being.

This is essentially true on social and mainstream media. The coronavirus outbreak have started many speculation, such become the case when we don’t have many answers to our questions. From eating and sanitation habits of Chinese people, to bioweapon conspiracies funded by the US, we are constantly being bombarded by false and sensationalized claims that would do nothing more than increase our distress.

Make sure you are relying on trusted source of information such as the CDC and WHO for your latest information on the virus. Even with these media outlet, manage your intake of them. Give yourself a break from the news from time to time to focus on the present. Reach out to the positive and level headed people or community for emotional support.

Embrace the changes

Your life is about to change whether you want it to or not. So let’s do what we human do best when we find ourselves under uncontrollable events “adapt”. If you are bless to still have a job that allows you to work from home, embrace it. Follow the work from home 101 blog and readjust your routine.

If you are like many others on the verge of unemployment and not enough savings to cover your expense “rethink and regroup”. Create a tighter budget, contact your creditors, apply for government assistance, research community hardship and look out for low interest to refinance. If anything we all will learn from this is how to better handle our finance.

This is the perfect timing to unleash your creativity, or finish what you started. Many of us have been putting things aside using the lack of time as an excuse, well now here is your time. Finishing that degree or taking those online classes is what you needed to increase your income. Crafting your hobbies such as your music, your writing, your photography is the side hustle that you have been passionate to do before that 9 to 5 job.

So adapt, rethink, regroup.

Sharing Your Space

We cannot stress enough the importance of staying home during this critical time, it is a private individual sacrifice to put the health and the well-being of others above our own. While staying home may be a breeze for some, self-isolation or sharing a space with close family members may be dreadful to others. If you are a mother like myself, keeping four energetic boys indoor without killing each other or raising my blood pressure is a hard task. But it is doable, so here are some simple measure to follow to help keep your sanity in this rough time.

Establishing a day to day structure for yourself or your family can be a great asset to your sanity. The secret to learning good habit is repetition so while you are confined at home by yourself or with love one, set up a daily schedule. A time to wake up, get dress, work from home or taking online classes. Set a time for your breaks, your online socialization, or your home entertainment or hobbies. Now remember the goal is not to become slave to control the time of our task, but to give us a sense of control in our living space.

It is easy for conflict to emerge at home when sharing our space with others. Our house is no longer just our home, it is our office, our gym, our gathering. Furthermore not many have the luxury of open space and many square feet home. We may be right next to one another and giving the anxiety and the uncertainty we are going through it is possible to find ourselves saying or doing things out of frustration. Practice stress management habit like eating healthy, sleeping and meditating can be helpful. Learn to eliminate conflict by staying positive or get some fresh air if possible. If you do not show any symptoms of the flu, going outside for some fresh air may be good for you as long as you are keeping your social distance.

Help others

At a time like this, self-care is incredibly important, but your selfless act to help others safely and responsibly is even more important. So during this time let’s help each other with those few tips.

Call and check on your friends, family and neighbors. If you are comfortable follow social distance and chat with your neighbors and offer to pick up groceries for them while you are doing your own run of errands. Spray some laughter and positivity around social media, many need this right now.

During these crisis many non-profit organization struggle to keep thing running, so if you have the resource do not forget to donate to those who provide for the homeless or battered women and children. Find out what you can do for the medical team and those in the front line of this pandemic. .

There are many remote volunteer opportunities available today such as companionship for the elder either over the phone or on video. You can also volunteer to tutor students who are doing distance learning this end of school year.

Local business is essential to our community they provide employment and services. If you still have an income please continue supporting them by making purchases at your local stores. Order deliveries and buy gift cards. Check and share the name of services that are still available online etc. Keep your membership or subscription as long as you can. Above all, give and give generously.