Protecting Your Mental Health During the Pandemic That is Coronavirus
WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE, AMIRITE?! Ok, I’ll admit…all the Quarantine memes can be pretty funny, but, in all honesty—the world is going through a lot of turmoil right now because of the Coronavirus. And, well, it can be triggering. If all the Coronavirus talk is causing you to feel all sorts of emotions—you’re not alone and you shouldn’t be ashamed.
A lot of people are struggling with their mental health in light of coronavirus. Anxiety is at an all-time high and Crisis Text Line (BLESS THEM) wants to help. They’re a 24/7, free, and confidential hotline that anyone can text in to reach their Crisis Counselors. Just text SHARE to 741741.
Since the Coronavirus hit the news circuit, two groups of two different minds have emerged: those who think the outbreak is exaggerated and nothing to worry about, and those on QUITE the opposite end of the spectrum hoarding frozen food, toilet paper (symptoms of Coronavirus do not include sh*tting yourself but KK, whatever makes you comfy), hand sanitizer and posting end of age prophecies about an impending apocalypse.
Let me tell you, I was in Europe earlier this month traveling through multiple airports, and things got weird:
Louvre was closed for multiple days
Global Entry was not available for anyone at the airport
A health check was required on the airplane where each of us was asked if we were having trouble breathing or had a cough – one person was even sent off the plane because they were coughing too much
And not only this, but three of my work trips in the next 45 days have been canceled. So regardless of how you feel, the world is reacting.
Whether you’re in one of the aforementioned camps or sitting pretty somewhere in between, there’s one thing we can probably all agree on: the unknown is uncomfortable and if we’re being honest, stressful. Chances are, you have people of both minds surrounding you, which probably leaves you wondering – where the heck do I fit in? This kind of uncertainty can cause a whole other layer of stress, too.
Even if you’re not necessarily worried about becoming infected, you’re likely providing emotional support for multiple people who ARE extremely nervous at the possibility of getting sick. The past few months have undoubtedly been uncomfortable, worrying and just so damn raw.
So, here are the facts:
Since the initial outbreak in China’s Wuhan province, the Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) has infected over 110,000 people worldwide, with more than 4,000 deaths.
The virus has dominated the news cycle almost every single day.
Governments across the world are launching health information campaigns.
People everywhere are encouraging us to sing Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” while washing our hands (hey, it adds up to an exact 30 seconds, which is just how long you should be washing) as well as urging us to avoid touching our faces and eyes.
Simply no one is addressing how to protect ourselves and each other from the negative mental health impacts that come with the global panic that is the Coronavirus outbreak.
Actual footage of me stocking up on the essentials (just kidding, just kidding) at the Local Bodega
Here’s what we can do to protect both our mental and physical health:
MENTAL HEALTH
Take a media break. Yes, that means it’s time to close the 92 tabs you have open right now that are feeding you conflicting information, and frankly that are adding to the hysteria. Knowledge is power, but be aware of your mental bandwidth. You need to take breaks, especially once you notice it wearing on your mind.
Make a list of your worries. This is an important one. I practice this daily by writing down 5 things that are causing me anxiety or stress, followed by 5 things I’m grateful for. It sounds simple, but it’s a great dose of perspective and helps to clear my mind. I always recommend the Happy Not Perfect app for daily use, but now more than ever I urge you to download this blessing of a tool.
Take a hike. Okay, not literally (unless that’s your thing and if it is, teach us your ways?!). Take a walk and practice breath work. There are hundreds of guided breathing videos on Amazon Prime, Calm and even videos on trusty ol’ YouTube that can teach you how to focus on your breathing in order to relieve stress. If this is new to you, please try – the power of breathing is real y’all! Taking deep breaths on short walks have quite literally saved my mind on many occasions.
Protect the people you love by prioritizing yourself. A lot of Coronavirus coverage has assumed that young, healthy people are unaffected by the worst symptoms of COVID-19. That might be comforting to you, but for those with underlying health issues or who are caring for elderly or sick loved ones, this assumption can may feel dismissive. Do your best to stay healthy but remember that almost everything else is out of your control. That’s why it’s important to focus on keeping your mind right, calm, positive and rational.
Pay it forward. It’s always better to give than to receive. There are so many people impacted by this pandemic. Countless people out of work, healthcare workers inundated by too much work and many, many, many children who are not in school. That last one hits me hard because that means hundreds of children will not have access to school lunches. Nearly 22 million low-income kids from communities across the country rely on the free and reduced-price meals they receive at school. For many, these meals may be the only nutritious food that they’ll receive on a given day. With schools either closing or weighing the option to do so in districts nationwide, children may be left without that critical lifeline to healthy meals.
And that means there are real economic implications for families and communities across the country as businesses grapple with shuttering doors and family budgets stretch to ensure kids are getting the nutrition they need. One of my favorite organizations, No Kid Hungry, is doing everything they can to help. Please check them out and see how you can contribute. Is there another cause that tugs at your heartstrings? Find ways to donate your time and/or funds.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Wash your hands frequently. This is a no-brainer. We should be doing this all day, every day. But now, we’re being reminded of it constantly. Invest in soap that is actually doing good work, and while you’re at it…get some good hand cream (aging shows first on your hands and I never miss an opportunity to talk about skincare, after all).
Chill out on touching your face. Another no-brainer that you shouldn’t be doing anyway. Your phone, your hands, your puffer jacket you haven’t gotten dry cleaned in who knows how long are all home to lots of bacteria. Be cognizant of where you put your hands.
Take sensible steps to prepare. If that means stocking up (but don’t be selfish, you need to leave some for the rest of the population) on a few items that make you feel more equipped to deal with what’s happening, do it. In a pandemic, we are reliant on one another to protect ourselves. The psychology behind buying all the hand sanitizer, soap, masks, and gloves available to you is a flawed one—to remain healthy as a society we need to make sure there are enough of these supplies to go around. Simply put: if you’re washing your hands, but other people aren’t, then you’re still at risk. Putting your fate in other people’s hands in this way can be daunting, but it’s necessary to remain calm and not surrender to a “me me me” mentality.
Here’s the deal—when we’re nervous, anxious or worried, our body releases adrenaline, which can cause inflammation and induce a stress response in our bodies. While in the right circumstances this is an important evolutionary tool to keep us alive, prolonged stress can actually impair our immune system by putting it under too much pressure. By this logic, remaining calm and looking after our mental health isn’t less important than being healthy, it’s necessary to remain healthy in the first place.
The bad news? A lot can change in 30 days. The good news? A lot can change in 30 days. Eventually, this too will pass. Stay safe out there, friends!
