Coping With Anxiety During the Quarantine
Covid-19, aka, the Coronavirus, is affecting the entire world. Here in the United States, we are currently in the thick of it. Cities and states are figuring out what measures are needed, and we, the people, are trying to navigate this new normal right along with our governments. The term, quarantine, has become a very familiar word around the world.
The Coronavirus is affecting everyone in some way. Many are getting laid off, whether it be temporary or permanent. Everything has pretty much stopped. Most businesses are closed, the beaches are closed, and schools are closed.
With all of this going on, anxiety is at an all-time high for people and rightfully so! Don’t beat yourself up if you’re feeling stressed and anxious. Everything is uncertain. To help you de-stress, I’m going to talk about 10 ways to cope with anxiety during the quarantine.
10 Ways to Cope with Your Anxiety During the Quarantine
Create a basic schedule. Most people function better with some type of structure in their days. Now that you’re working at home or now that you’re kids are home full-time, write out some type of schedule. It doesn’t have to be down to every hour but at least lay out what your morning needs to include, and when are you going to do homeschooling. A schedule gives you sense of control and normalcy in your life.
When you open your eyes in the morning, force yourself to focus on something positive. Think of someone who makes you smile, a happy memory, something fun you will try to do that day, or 1 or more things you’re thankful for. How you start your day is KEY.
Change out of your pajamas in the morning. Okay, I’m not against staying in your pj’s some days but again, to give yourself a sense of normalacy, change your clothes, wash your face, brush your hair, and even put on a little makeup if you that helps you feel more awake and ready to go.
Fuel yourself. Hey, I’m not telling you to not enjoy those quarantine snacks or not have an occasional Quarantini, but just pay attention to what you’re putting in your body. I made the decision to myself that I was going to try to stay healthy through this situation in whatever ways I can. I know how much what we eat and drink can affect our moods. Just be mindful. Don’t strive for perfection.
Don’t just sit there. Listen, I know Tiger King is the super addicting (just finished it last night!) and the new season of Ozark just dropped (finally!) but please monitor your tv intake. I’m not against vegging out and binge-watching something. However, I think there are times where it can hurt your general mental health and well-being. Get up and stretch, go for a walk, move around in some way. So many gyms and fitness-type businesses have been forced to move online and are offering discounts or free trials. Zumba anyone?
Learn something new. There are so many online courses that are being offered for free right now whether it be through a university or a local fitness place. Take advantage if you can. We are all stuck, so what can you do to move the needle forward? Read a book, dust off that instrument you haven’t played in years, or try a new makeup trick. Learning means progress and that can be comforting during this time.
Periodic check-ins. Check-in with yourself throughout the day. Ask yourself, how am I feeling? What do I need right now? Sometimes, we keep pushing through, when we really need to stop and listen to what our bodies need. I love using apps such as Sanvello and Simple Habit to guide myself through a 5-10 minute calming meditation. I challenge you to try this for a few days. It’s a great way to reset yourself if you’re feeling frustrated, anxious, etc.
Have realistic expectations. Especially if you’re doing something totally new, such as homeschooling your child or working from home. LOWER your expectations. You are not trying to be teacher of the year but keep your child’s skills up as best as you can. Working from home takes a lot of self-discipline. These are transitions and take time so don’t beat yourself up that it’s a struggle at times. It’s going to take a good bit of trial and error to figure out what works best for you and your loved ones during this time.
Be extra kind. Though it’s important to be kind to everyone, I’m speaking specifically to how you talk to and treat yourself right now. That train of thought in our heads, can get ugly, really quick if we don’t monitor ourselves. Treat yourself how you treat your children or how you would want someone to treat you, with loving kindness.
Get some sun. I have really noticed, especially during this quarantine time, how much of a mood booster the sun can be, especially during times of stress. You can easily put a chair outside for 5/10 minutes, go for a walk, or just stand in the warmth of the sun for a short bit.
Which ones resonate with you the most? I’d love to know! Remember, all the things you’ve gotten through before. You will get through this, too. Funny thing is, a year from now, it will seem like a blur. Take it day by day. I’m here to support you in any way I can. Tele-health allows me to provide counseling, just like FaceTime or Skype, through a secure platform. You can use your phone, laptop, table, or desktop computer. I’m offering discounted sessions during the time. Email me at maria@fullpotentialcounseling.com if you or someone you know needs a little extra help and support getting through.