Working Through Covid-19: our guide on how to respond to stress…

What can we do when we feel anxious or stressed by the Covid-19 situation?

Whether you are self-isolating, recovering, or have already recovered from Covid-19 at home, or at the fore front as emergency staff, there are a few things to keep in mind to better cope with anxiety and stress.  This is my quick guide on how to better cope with the stress of a pandemic like this.

For Everyone

1)    Do not to attach or associate COVID-19 to any ethnicity or nationality. Try to show empathy to all those affected, in and from any country. People who become infected of COVID-19 haven’t done anything wrong, so please show them some compassion, support and kindness. For example you might want to refrain from calling them as cases, victims, diseased, or COVID-19 families. They are people who have COVID-19, or people who have been treated for COVID-19, people who are recovering from COVID-19. It is important to separate a person from having an identity defined by COVID-19, to reduce stigma.

2)    Try to minimise watching, reading or listening to news that causes you to feel anxious or distressed; in these times social media whilst make us feel connected, can also be a source of anxiety and remains a highly mistrusted source of information. Please seek information only from trusted sources such as GBC TV or Radio channels, BBC, SKY News, or Euronews, and try to read mainly the news about how to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones. Seek information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice.

3)    The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried. Get the facts - not the rumours and misinformation. Gather information at regular intervals, from local health authorities’ platforms, in order to help you distinguish facts from rumours. Facts can help minimizing fears.

4) Practice self-care, this is a bit like when you are on a plane and they tell you in case of emergency to put your oxygen mask first before you help others. Looking after your wellbeing is paramount during a pandemic, you can do this in three simple ways: Pleasure, Achievement, and Closeness/Connectedness.

5) Get back into a routine, it is important you build a new routine while you are home, this help you feeling contained and gives you structure. Set time aside for self-care, time for work, for connecting with friends and family. If you were supposed to see a friend or had a coffee planned outside, ask them to meet up instead online and enjoy a video call with them perhaps having coffee from the comfort of your home.

6) Exercise, there are many online resources on facebook, or on the internet where there are plenty of videos with pilates, yoga and bodyweight exercises. If you are allowed to, spend some time exercising outdoor but keep the safe distance from people. If you are over 60 I would recommend this facebook page FITISM They provide good classes live!

7) Focus on what is that you can control, this can be keeping a positive attitude, turning off the news, keeping your own social distancing, practicing mindfulness, being grateful, finding fun things to do at home, etc…