My Year of Living with COVID-19

The Year of 2020 should be marked in the history books!  This is the year that we began living with COVID-19.   Social distancing and wearing masks have become the norm.   Hugs, friendly embraces, kisses, holding hands, and close conversations have been replaced by waving from afar, air hugs and kisses, drive-by wedding and baby showers, Zoom meetings, and fear.  Many of us carry a fear that a casual encounter could result in a diagnosis of COVID-19, a trip to the hospital, a 14-day quarantine, or the ultimate fear- being faced with our own demise or the death of a loved one.  Depression, anxiety, panic, and other symptoms have become constant companions for many.    What is the physical and emotional impact of constant fear?   Being in a state of constant stress can have negative health and emotional consequences, and can weaken one's own immunity.   So, here are some suggestions to readers that may be struggling with anxiety and fear.

1.  Complete a self-assessment of your emotional functioning. This is an opportunity to self-reflect and address your emotional state. If you find that your are fearful about going to the grocery store, interacting with others, or have constant thoughts about contracting COVID-19, I would suggest that you contact a trained mental health professional.   Most therapists are offering tele-therapy sessions, so you could begin the process in the comfort of your own home.

2. Schedule an appointment for a check-up.  Has your blood pressure increased or are you experiencing other symptoms (panic attacks, facial tics, difficulty sleeping) that may be related to a negative emotional state?

3. Add self-care activities to your life.  Learn a new hobby, begin a project, or participate in safe activities (practicing social distance and wearing face masks) that create feelings of well-being.

4. Create opportunities to maintain social interaction with others.   Zoom sessions, Teams meetings, socially distant recreational activities are just a few examples of ways that you can socialize in a safe way. 

5.  Go outside!!  Hiking, walking, kayaking, or canoeing are great ways to engage in outside activities.  There are so many health and emotional benefits of being in a physically beautiful environment such as a lake, park, or the mountains.

6.  Let go!!  We have limited control over the COVID-19 pandemic.  The control that we can exert is sanitizing our homes, hands, and place of work.  We also have control over whether or not we wear a face mask to protect ourselves and others to possible exposure.   There are many areas of control that are outside of our scope and other areas that we can exert some control.  It is important to know the difference between the two.

Links:  

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline