Coping with the Covid Crisis

Security and predictability are among some of the basic needs of humans. Whenever there is a threat to security of life and wellbeing or uncertainty about the future, it is likely to bring about a feeling of dread, fear and stress in most people.  The ongoing Covid19 pandemic is one such challenging period. It has caused an eruption of various forms of psychological and physical stress in vulnerable persons. The symptoms may show themselves in form of heightened anxiety levels, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, claustrophobia, anger management issues and sleep disturbances among others. In fact, latent propensities for different psychological disorders may surface in stressful times.

Here are some simple tips to manage your mental equilibrium during the current crisis:

·        Stick to a well planned daily routine. Sleep, awake, eat, and bathe at a designated time.

·        Do not turn into a couch potato. Maintain a daily exercise routine.

·         Give a structure and purpose to each day. Draw up a daily plan of activity and follow it. There are endless tasks around you waiting to be done.

 Start with some gardening in the morning.

Clean out the garage, the cupboards and the store.

Try new recipes.

Plan a new project.

Learn a new computer skill.

Learn the basics of a new language.

·        Think of this as a bonus time with your family. Play board games, scrabble and cards with during leisure time (which, again, fits into the time table after work hours.) Try out a new hobby.

·        Connect with family and friends on the phone. Specially ones you have meant to call but couldn’t. This is a good time to mend bridges.

·        Avoid watching the news all the time. You will eventually know how many more are infected. Don’t sweat. You cannot manage the global situation.

·        Do not binge watch on TV. Choose the stuff you watch. Cut out movies like ‘Contagion’ and ‘Virus’. You don’t want to be injected with more adrenalin.

·        Build up mindfulness and self control. Watch and control your irritation levels. We are not used to being cloistered together at home for so long. High stress levels may lead to a rise in irritable behaviour which can have a dominos effect in the family and vitiate the environment.

·        Be patient with small children. It’s tougher for them. Try to keep them engaged.

·        Try reading aloud together. It’s fun.

·        Try deep breathing and calming music during moments of heightened stress.

·        Try progressive muscle relaxation.

·        If the above don’t work, don’t hesitate to ask for medication.

·        Inbox me for counselling if needed.