Coping Tips

During the Coronavirus Pandemic

A new way of living has been introduced to the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. For the first time ever, we’ve been asked to practice social distancing, self-quarantine and even shelter in place. These changes affect the way we work, socialize and live. Until our circumstances return to “normal” we have a few tips to help you cope with these temporary changes.

Tips For Coping Include:

Connect
Spend time with family, friends, or colleagues using apps such as Skype, FaceTime or Zoom. Staying connected with the outside world is crucial for mental health, support, and laughter. These same apps can be used to communicate with co-workers too!
Avoid
Limit the amount of time you spend watching news reports to 30-minutes a day. Watching too much news related to the pandemic, whether it’s via social media or television, can lead to anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. Stay informed by watching brief reports, two times a day. Pick a channel or view online news sources that are accurate, fact-based and current such as cdc.gov.
Go outside
Sunlight improves our immune system, increases your production of vitamin D, stabilizes your sleep cycles, and leads to a more positive mood. Try to spend at least 10-30 minutes in direct sunlight several times per week.
Create a To-Do list for each day
Stay productive by creating a plan for the day’s activities. Creating a list for work, school and home will help you stay organized and create a routine that helps you plan for your day. When we accomplish even small goals, we tend to feel better about ourselves and our situation.
Start a new hobby
Consider learning how to draw, paint, knit, or bake. This will help you get out of the same-old routine while challenging your brain to learn new things.