Coronavirus Crisis – How to Practice Self-Care in Times of Crisis
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been on edge the past few weeks. The news about the rapidly spreading coronavirus has got me feeling a new level of anxiety that I can’t seem to shake. I’m lucky enough to be in good health and not be immunocompromised, but I’m still freaking out almost every day about what the news will bring. Most of my stress right now revolves around how the coronavirus will affect my wedding, since COVID-19 has been wreaking havoc on any social gatherings. It may seem trivial in the face of a deadly pandemic, but I (and thousands of other brides) have put months, maybe even years of effort into meticulously planning and saving for the big day. I feel like the dream day that was within arm’s reach may just disappear. There will also be a significant economic impact of the coronavirus that honestly scares me more than anything else.
Since I am currently in a place of trying to keep myself sane, I wanted to share a few tips I’m practicing to manage my coronavirus related anxiety. I am in no way an expert, just sharing what I’ve been trying to practice to keep myself in check.
Practice Safety Tips to Reduce Exposure to Coronavirus
According to the CDC there are some basics you should follow to help flatten the curve, or slow the spread of COVID-19. At first I felt overwhelmed and paranoid when faced with all the new info and guidelines. But once you commit them to memory and actively practice the techniques, things become far less anxiety inducing. Think of a great song to sing or hum when washing your hands, break out a few pairs of stylish gloves, and get used to putting distance between yourself and anyone you may encounter.
Stay Productive When Working From Home
A lot of offices have been closing or reducing hours, leaving employees working from home. If you have never had to work remote, trust me, it is not just a free vacation day! My days are packed with conference calls, online presentations, and getting a head start on brainstorming Fall strategies. I’ve also found that staying busy with work related projects keeps me focused so my mind isn’t wandering and falling into a pit of anxiety. I’ll be working from home at least the next 2 weeks and keeping my days as structured as possible helps. I get up at the same time I would if I were commuting in, get dressed and do makeup. It doesn’t matter that no one will really see me – the routine is reassuring and helps me maintain a sense of normalcy. Sometimes I will pick up a coffee from Starbucks, which is part of my daily routine. Other days I will make one at home. Then I settle into my dedicated working space and get busy!
I make it a point to set up a few conference calls each day. Number one, human interaction is nice! Number 2, it keeps me accountable and helps break up the day.
The most important thing to note about working from home is to stay focused on work! Do not use business hours to do random chores or tasks in the house. That takes your head out of a professional mentality. You’ll have plenty of time for personal errands and house work on evenings and weekends since all of your social plans are being cancelled!
Indulge in a Hobby
I’ve seen a lot of stuff trending on Instagram about using your quarantine time to start a business, focus on your side hustle, invest in stocks etc. That is not necessarily bad advice, but I do believe that hustle culture can be toxic and now is not the time for negative energy. You don’t have to pressure yourself to be on your A game right now! It’s ok to focus on your feelings and things that bring you joy. That may be reading a good book, writing in your journal, or practicing a new language. As long as you can get it done while maintaining self-isolation go ahead!
Spend Time with Your Friends
The beauty of modern technology is the freedom and methods of communication we have! You may not be able to go out with your squad, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy each other’s company. Set up a virtual girl’s night happy hour on Zoom, start a group chat to keep in touch during the day, and plan an epic trip for later in the year! Staying connected and having something to look forward to is critical in times like this.
Turn Off the News
The 24 hour coronavirus news cycle is enough to make anyone insane. To manage my coronavirus anxiety I’ve starting restricting how much time I spend listening to COVID-19 related news. I get a daily check in for 10 minutes, twice a day. That is all! When the news first broke and started getting aggressive, I was constantly monitoring for updates, refreshing Google News and my Twitter feed every 5 minutes for the latest news. That was giving me major emotional stress and once I started chilling out I instantly felt better. Now is not the time to completely bury your head in the sand, but you do need to monitor what you are exposing yourself to (physically and emotionally!).
And please stop hoarding food and supplies! There won’t be a shortage if everyone only takes what they need. Shop responsibly, be mindful of reducing your waste and wash your damn hands!!!
