In the case of the coronavirus epidemic, I have recommendations to make it easier to deal with the current situation with COVID-19., to reduce the level of anxiety and help maintain mental health. Recommendations are presented in the form of advice and are periodically updated. I believe that together we can overcome this difficult situation and will do everything in our power to help cope with it.
- Tip 1
The situation with the coronavirus COVID-19, in which we all find ourselves, evokes many difficult feelings. In such a state, it is often especially difficult to endure the realization that there are no actions, having completed which, you can quickly fix everything, return to the usual way of life, which is accompanied by a feeling of powerlessness. However, there are small, seemingly unimportant actions that at first glance seem insignificant, but in reality, slowly, step by step, help to find a way out.
Let’s remember what small daily things each of us can do: wash our hands more often, avoid touching our faces, try to reduce the number of contacts with other people, and avoid attending public events.
In doing all this, remember that you are not just following the WHO recommendations, you are making your very important contribution to overcoming the epidemic.
- Tip 2
Now, in this difficult time, it is very important to take good care of yourself.
Do not set yourself high goals, most likely, your productivity will be lower than usual. And that’s okay, as most of your resources are spent on soothing yourself. Even if you don’t notice it, being alert, monitoring the observance of stricter hygiene rules, constant attention to health (your own, those around you, loved ones) is very tiring.
Therefore, now it is extremely important not to blame yourself in any way if you find that something familiar has become difficult to do. And, on the contrary, sympathize with yourself and allow you to just wait out, survive this period.
- Tip 3
In everyday life, we often overlook and take for granted the amount of communication we have. And at the moment of forced isolation, as now, his absence is perceived especially acutely.
Now it is important to take care of yourself in this area, and specially organize communication for yourself. Use the tools of Internet technology to
communication with friends and family: organize a general chat in the messenger, make calls using video calls, communicate on social networks, write letters by e-mail. All this reduces the intensity of the experience of loneliness and makes it possible to morally support each other, which is especially valuable now.
- Tip 4
People react differently to prohibitions imposed on them from the outside: it is easier for some to reconcile, for others it is more difficult. The need not to leave the house is indeed a very significant restriction and is regarded by some people as an encroachment on their freedom, which may cause protest.
Understanding the meaning of your actions helps to experience these limitations and accept them. You are not just sitting within four walls – you are doing an important thing for all of humanity – you are fighting the pandemic, slowing its spread and helping many people to survive, including your family and friends.
- Tip 5
Uncertainty is not easy for most people.
In the current situation, it is very important to create certainty and constancy for yourself in what you can control. For example, it can be a daily routine: getting up and going to bed at the same time familiar to you, observing the time of eating, etc.
- Tip 6
To maintain a sense of well-being, it is very important for a person to be able to make plans, and long-term plans.
In situations like the one in which we are all now, it is more difficult to do this than usual.
But right now it is especially important.
Remember, without any pandemic, long-term plans are always adjusted, and that’s okay. It’s just that in a calmer situation we are not so worried about this.
Therefore, it will be great if you concentrate on your future, determine what you would like to change, what to learn, what to do, and start taking the first steps in this direction.
- Tip 7
Sleep is very important for maintaining good physical and mental health.
Now, when most of us do not have the opportunity to leave the house somewhere, it is very important to try to improve our sleep.
For this, it is very important to adhere to a normal sleep pattern, not allowing yourself to stay up until the morning and sleep until the evening. In the first half of the day, it is worth organizing physical activity for yourself (exercise, workout). Make it a habit to read the news only in the morning. In the evening, do something that is soothing and relaxing.
- Tip 8
In addition to long-term plans, short-term plans also bring a sense of certainty and support to life.
Make plans for the days ahead. Think about when you will call, what you will do. This may include making menus and finding exercises to exercise.
- Tip 9
It is very difficult to live in a constant sense of readiness to react to danger. Therefore, in the current situation it is very important to make the everyday side of life as pleasant as possible for oneself, to pay more attention to it, to take care of it.
Think that of what is now available brings you at least a little joy, a feeling of comfort. It can be a shower, taking a bath, reading your favorite books, watching films that are pleasant and interesting for you, making delicious tea or your favorite dishes.
Try to listen specifically to yourself, because what may work for other people will not necessarily affect you the same way. And this is completely normal.
