Coping in Covid

How are you?

Honestly, how are you doing?

Whatever your answer is, I hope you are finding some amount of peace during this confusing time.

It’s a lot.

Last week was a lot, last month was a lot, this entire year has been a lot.

I think most, if not all of us are feeling the emotional and mental roller-coaster of this pandemic.

The hardest part has been the uncertainty that comes with it and as someone who has anxiety, it makes it even more difficult.

But, it’s a reality that I’m unable to change and therefore I have to just find ways to cope.

How are you coping?

Some of us might have found healthy or unhealthy ways to cope and for some even both.

Most days I feel in tuned with myself and utilize what has been working for me and some days I forget about that and sink into the unhealthy ways.

No matter how many times we wish it will go away, pray it will go away and scream how much we hate it, it still remains. Therefore, instead of drowning in what we are unable to control, I highly suggest finding healthy ways to cope.

Even a loner must hate the restriction of not being able to freely leave their home and optionally spend time with others. This pandemic has forced us to spend a lot of time alone (even with people around for some), and while alone time is important, too much is not healthy.

Some persons may live with family, others may be living alone or with another relative, but still feeling extremely alone. If you are one of these persons feeling alone, Facetime/Call friend(s) or family and go outside to enjoy nature for a bit.

Importantly, find an avenue that allows you to not feel alone and contributes positively to your mental health.

I don’t know about you, but depression has been knocking at my door.

In the beginning of quarantine, it struck the hardest but I eventually overcame that and I have been fighting back at any depressive thought that randomly try to sweep in.

With all that is happening, deaths, relatives getting ill, financial difficulties and a host of other struggles that persons are facing, depression will be a rising element during this pandemic.

I suggest getting a journal and writing your thoughts, it doesn’t have to make sense, just write.

Also, speak to yourself aloud, have conversations with yourself about how you feel and where the feeling is stemming from. Remind yourself that it’s the depressive thoughts that are affecting you and you have to do what you can to fight it.

Listen to uplifting music, gospel music, any music that lifts your mood.

Try to confide in someone and make sure the person you choose to confide in contributes to you feeling better. This person may not have the solutions on how to make you feel better but the person must be someone that listens, understands, reassures you when necessary and does not make you feel bad for the way you are feeling.

Letting out your emotions is important.

Do not try to distract yourself from how you feel.

Allow yourself to feel.

Allow yourself to cry.

Allow yourself to be angry.

Allow yourself to be frustrated.

But ensure you don’t sink in these emotions.

It’s unrealistic to always be positive, this only forces you to suppress all the emotions that will one day explode.

Allow yourself to feel the emotions so that you can find healthy ways to cope with these emotions.

I often see comments about being productive during this pandemic. If being productive and active helps you, DO THAT, but don’t use it as a distraction, find a balance. At the end of the day, it’s unrealistic to suggest that you will be able to stay unproductive for this entire time. The pandemic will be here for a while, so we have to adapt to this new life.

During this time, with consistent and frequent havoc, it is easy to focus on only the negatives happening. Gratitude is a welcoming gesture for more blessings, but also a way to show appreciation for what is good in your life, no matter how small.

I suggest making a ‘Gratitude List’. Write down all the things you are grateful for, eg. For waking up, for being able to walk, for some amount of stability. Occasionally take a look at this list.

When you feel yourself complaining, look at this list and remind yourself that you still have a lot to be grateful for.

A healthy surrounding is also key to coping in this pandemic.

Our space has a significant influence on our mood; therefore, it is important to curate a healthy space.

For many persons who are working from home, cleaning your space and switching up your room, can help with your productivity level and somehow it lifts a weight that you might be feeling.

Lastly, social media is one of the easiest ways to distract us. This can sometimes be good, sometimes we may need a laugh or discussions that centre your mind around something that is more beneficial.

However, too much consumption of social media can also weigh negatively on an individual’s mental health.

Take breaks.

Put down that phone, that iPad, whatever device you use to access social media, step away from it for a while.

Delete those apps and set a limit on the time usage, Apple offers this feature. I’m not sure about android, but if not, set an alarm for when you are not allowed to use social media.

There is a lot happening on social media, we are being flooded with depressing news back to back and it can weigh significantly on you.

As we continue to ride the wave of this storm, try to find something positive or some form of peace to hold on to. You won’t be your best self everyday, I mean come on, this is a lot for one year. But on days you are feeling good, make the best of those days and on days you are not your best, breathe, feel but never sink into the sorrows.

Here are some tips and a few helpful info that you can use.

I really hope you enjoyed this blog piece and I hope it will beneficial to you.

Thanks for reading and share with someone that may need some encouraging words.