Amid an unprecedented situation like the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s easy to feel an increased sense of stress and worry. Taking steps in our daily lives to slow the spread of the virus among our neighbors is essential for our physical health. However, it’s also crucial to find outlets to protect our mental and emotional well-being. In these challenging times, you may be experiencing increased feelings of frustration, uncertainty or irritability. While some emotional upheaval is normal and expected, there are many ways you can make yourself more resilient in the face of coronavirus.
1. Give Yourself Good News Breaks
Though you have a responsibility to stay abreast of local and national news about the pandemic, obsessively checking the headlines can add to your anger or anxiety. Narrow your news consumption down to one or two reliable sources, and only look at them once or twice a day. If you start to feel upset, take a break to indulge in a relaxing hobby such as doing a crossword puzzle.
2. Get – and Stay – Active
Even if you can’t leave your home because your community is observing stay-at-home orders, you can remain physically and mentally active. Prepare healthy, well-balanced meals, stay hydrated, exercise regularly and stick to a sleep schedule that allows you to get at least seven to eight hours of quality shut-eye per night. In doing so, you’ll help naturally boost your immune system and your overall mood.
3. Use Technology to Stay Connected
In the absence of a vaccine for COVID-19, social distancing has become our most reliable method for helping flatten the curve and prevent the spread of the virus. That means avoiding gatherings in places such as restaurants and event venues, and maintaining a six-foot distance between yourself and others when you must go out to perform an essential errand such as getting groceries. If you find yourself missing the company of friends, co-workers and family members during this time, find creative ways to maintain those connections. It could be something as simple as sending a quick text that says, “I miss you, and I hope you’re staying healthy.” Or, create a new tradition of hosting virtual gatherings, where everyone plays a game or eats dinner at the same time while using an app such as Zoom to chat virtually.
4. Only Focus on What You Can Control
In terms of protecting yourself and your immediate family, the guidelines for washing your hands, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and taking appropriate precautions if you must leave your home are relatively straightforward. But in these unpredictable times, you may find yourself worrying more about all the variables you can’t control, such as when our way of life will return to normal. To manage your emotional health, keep things as consistent as possible and focus only on the factors you can manage, instead of dwelling on things that might not ever come to pass.
5. Unburden Yourself
If you’re feeling more anxious or stressed out than usual, start keeping a daily gratitude journal of things that are going well. For example, perhaps home quarantine has given you more time to connect with your family or to learn a skill you’ve been meaning to get to. You can use your journal entries as a way to “drop off” your worries and free your mind.
Managing the Unique Stresses of Coronavirus
If you’re working on your recovery from addiction, you already know about the unique challenges and triggers you need to avoid. When you need a transitional period between treatment and returning to your normal daily responsibilities, Segue Recovery Support is here with our high-accountability sober living program. If you’ve decided to focus fully on your new life, contact us today.