Outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the new Coronavirus (COVID-19), can be devastating and can affect our mental health. Although keeping informed is vital, there are many things we can do to help and maintain our well-being during such times as these.
Here are some way-outs we hope will help you, your friends and your family to look after your mental health at a time when there is much discussion of potential threats to our physical health.
Don’t panic
Stay home
Save lives
Because each one of us makes a difference!
Looking after your mental well-being while sitting at home
The government advises us to stay at home and only go outside for food, health reasons or important jobs, keep two meters (six feet) away from others and wash our hands as soon as we get home.
That will mean that many of us will spend a lot of time at home, and we will no longer have access to many of our daily social activities.
This will help to try to see things in your life as a different period of time, and not necessarily a negative one, even though you did not want it.
It will represent a new rhythm of life, and the ability to be in contact with others in different ways than normal. Stay frequently in contact with other people on social media, e-mail or on the phone, because they are all good ways to stay connected to the people who matter to you. Keep yourself updated to the development of the coronavirus vaccine, this will give you hope.
Create a new daily routine that prioritizes self-care. You could try to read more or watch movies, have an exercise routine, try new relaxation techniques or find new internet knowledge. Try to relax and consider this as a fresh if rare experience that could have its advantages.
Ensure sure that your broader health needs are met such as getting ample prescription drugs available to you.
Seek to stop speculation and search for clear facts about the outbreak
Rumor and speculation can fuel anxiety. Accessing details about the virus in good quality will make you feel more in control.
Updated information and advice on the virus can be obtained here:
- uk
- Health Protection Scotland
- Public Health Wales
Follow hygiene recommendations such as washing your hands more often than normal, with soap and hot water for 20 seconds (sing ‘happy birthday’ twice to make sure you do it every 20 seconds). Whenever you go home or to work, you can do this, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or treat food. When you are unable to wash your hands right away, use the hand sanitizer and wash them at the next opportunity.
If you sneeze and make sure that you dispose of them quickly, you can also use tissues; and stay home if you feel unwell.
Try to stay connected
We work better in the company and with the support in times of stress. Try to keep in touch with your friends and family, by phone, email or social media or contact an emotional support helpline.
You would like to focus on the things you can do if you feel ready to:
- stress management
- keep active
- eat a balanced diet
Keep in contact with your social media buddies but don’t try to make things exciting. Use this from reliable sources if you’re sharing information, and note that your friends may be worried too.
Remember always to monitor social media behavior on a regular basis. Place yourself in and see if they need to be changed. Are there any specific accounts or individuals that increase your anxiety or worry? Consider getting accounts or hashtags warped or unfolded that cause you to feel anxious.
Talk to your children
It’s important to include our families and children in our good health plans. We need to be alert and ask kids what they know about the outbreak and reassure them, without causing them to be frightened.
We will mitigate the adverse effect that it has on our kids and explain the truth to them. Talk with them on the television but seek to prevent over-exposure to virus coverage. Be as truthful as possible.
Let’s not avoid the ‘scary topic’ but interact in a way that’s appropriate for them. We have more tips on thinking about the Coronavirus outbreak with your family.
Try to anticipate distress
It’s OK to feel fragile and overwhelmed when we read news about the outbreak, particularly if you’ve experienced trauma or a mental health issue in the past, or if you have a long-term physical condition that makes you more fragile to the effects of coronavirus.
Recognizing these feelings is vital, and reminding one another to look after our physical and mental health. We should also be mindful of and prevent those behaviors such as smoking and alcohol which may not be beneficial in the long term.
Seek to reassure people you know who may be concerned about, to check in with people you know who live alone.
Try not to make assumptions
Should not condemn men, and stop jumping to conclusions as to who is responsible for disease spreading. Coronavirus may affect anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender.
Seek to navigate how you deal with the media epidemic
The outbreak has been covered extensively in the depress. When you consider the news causing you tremendous tension, you need to find a balance.
It’s best not to ignore all news, and keep yourself updated and educated, but to limit your consumption of news if it bothers you.
By Hassan Khan
