Living Through Covid

With cases increasing during this holiday season, a new stay at home order is about to take place. Many may experience anxiety and feelings of depression during this isolation period. It’s important that during this time, we are taking care of our mental health and checking in with our loved ones. 

The pandemic can be a stressful time for many. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming for both adults and children. On top of that, there is a huge amount of financial stress for those who rely on a steady income. The unpredictable nature of the disease has thrown people into chaos and has made the year difficult to live through. This has led to the worsening of mental health conditions and an increase in substance abuse. How you respond to stress during the COVID-19 pandemic can depend on your background, your social support from family or friends, your financial situation, your health and emotional background, the community you live in, and many other factors. 

Healthy ways to cope with stress and feelings of isolation during the pandemic are: 

• Know what to do if you are sick and where to get treatment
• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to the news
• Eat healthy, balanced meals
• Exercise regularly
• Get plenty of sleep
• Connect with your friends and community

Apart from anxiety and depression, grief is another emotion that is unfortunately felt by many who have lost loved ones to the disease. Because there are limitations in the social activities we can hold, families cannot hold funeral services for their loved ones. Fortunately, there are many actions you can take to help cope with feelings of grief. These include:

• Connecting with other people
  • Invite people to call you or host conference calls with family members and friends to stay connected
• Creating memories or rituals
  • Develop a virtual memory book, blog, or webpage to remember your loved one, and ask family and friends to contribute their memories and stories
  • Take part in an activity, such as planting a tree or preparing a favorite meal, that has significance to you and the loved one who died
• Asking for help from others
  • Seek out grief counseling or mental health services, support groups, or hotlines, especially those that can be offered over the phone or online
  • Seek support from other trusted community leaders and friends

The common theme is communication. Having a strong support system with friends and family can help tremendously when feeling anxious and depressed. It’s important that we stay connected during this turbulent period. 

​References
CDC: Coping with Stress
CDC: Grief and Loss