Covid-19 is synonymous with panic, anxiety, and depression.
It has affected everyone in one way or another. On the economic side especially, it has been devastating. Recently, the IMF released the world economic outlook – a report predicting the economic recession that would be experienced by many advanced and emerging economies. But beyond the numbers and the falling markets, beyond the rising unemployment and financial restraints, there are also the psychological effects of the crisis that the average person is left to deal with.
Watching the news can be stressful, as can be thinking about the potential implications of the outbreak for one’s life, job, business, friends, and family. If you’ve found yourself depressed or anxious as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, here are some tips to help you deal with it.
Know that you are not alone: The virus is our collective problem all around the world. Don’t sweat too much over it. Of course, the personal losses from the crisis could be very destabilizing. You may have lost a job, a business deal, an opportunity, etc. But you have to realize that it is no fault of yours and that others are having a very hard time too.
You are not alone. We are all in this together. If you’ve been recently dismissed from work, so were a million others. If an opportunity has slipped away from your hands because of Covid-19, take it all in good stride. Even though it might be very difficult and knowing others are having difficulty might not bring much comfort now, you should keep reminding yourself the whole world will be working together to fix things once the outbreak passes, and you’ll have a chance to pick things up and continue to make progress.
Keep in close touch with loved ones: They are the ones you need to spend more time with at the moment. Your spouse, your kids, your close relatives, and friends – they are the ones who need your care now more than ever.
Currently, there are many families unable to see each other physically. It is no news that many countries around the world have shut their borders in a bid to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. And many families have been made to suffer for it. If you are within the physical reach of your folks, make the most of it and if not, use Zoom, Skype, Facebook or other tools to stay in touch as much as possible.
Start a Work-Out Plan: It doesn’t have to be too elaborate or bone-crushing. It could be a couple of push-up reps or a little jog around the yard. Something that gets your heart pumping and makes you sweaty. You’ll be surprised that even a brief cardio session is capable of relieving all the stress and anxiety that has built up inside of you.
Science has shown that exercising releases the pleasure hormones which will make you feel upbeat and positive. In addition, exercising regularly will definitely keep you in tip-top mental and physical shape as the days roll by, so you’ll be prepared to get back in stride as soon as the outbreak passes.
Find time to connect with old friends: Our daily routine is a fast one. There’s always something to do, a task to perform, a target to achieve. Whether you are in college or already working, it is pretty much the same. And somehow, in the midst of these, important as they are, we tend to gradually slide away from the people close to us. Friends turn into acquaintances, and from acquaintances to strangers. Before you know, a year goes by, and you haven’t even said hi to the people you once shared deep conversations with.
Now that you have a little time on your hands, you can reach out. Pick up the phone. Call or text. It could turn out to be a pleasant surprise at the other end of the line and that will surely make you happy as well.
Read the news, but don’t stay glued: Some people might dispute this statement, but bad news has always been the mainstay of the media. In fact, studies show that the more tragic a story is, the more viral it tends to go, and the more it attracts readers.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19, a lot of people have become inclined to watching cable news or reading stories of the virus on their cell phones or laptops. The media knows this, and they are ever ready to feed the curiosity of people.
Though there might be the earnest desire to get some good news; a successful drug trial, a new vaccine, there is no need to check at every opportunity you get. Instead, look up other channels. Watch a documentary, tune into sports. As much as possible, resist the temptation to flip the switch. It will not do you much good.
Engage in something creative: What is that thing you’re fantastically good at? Think about it. Is it drawing, painting, singing, or writing short fiction stories? Explore it.
You could even turn it into a mini-project and set a deadline for yourself. This would keep your mind occupied and you would even have some fun while at it.
Learn Something new: This may sound like a cliché, but it is one of the best things you could do for yourself in this Covid-19 outbreak. Your normal life may be gone temporarily, but the internet is not. And it holds a tremendous amount of information that can be beneficial to you.
Thankfully, most of the information you get is free. Meaning you won’t go broke if you decide to explore and digest as much as you want. You could delve into YouTube, watch some do-it-yourself videos to be able to fix things yourself in case of an emergency. Or you could head over to Google. There are tons of information there and you can get all this with the snap of a finger.
Another thing you can do is learn a new skill. To their credit, many online course providers like Coursera, Udemy, and Edx are offering huge discounts for their programs. You can benefit from these too and even use them to put yourself in a stronger position career-wise when it’s time to resume work.
Binge on Something Entertaining: Indulge yourself. If you are not working from your home or doing any freelance job at the moment, then, by all means, spoil yourself. Grab a great fiction novel. Read and do not stop till you get to the very last page.
Or you can download a full television series. Now is not the time to feel guilty. One advantage of doing this is that it keeps you from worrying about the present, even for a short while.
See the Silver Lining: You are still alive! Over 200,000 people have met their demise at the hands of Covid-19 in only four months. That’s terrible but you are still here, drawing in breath, watching the sunrise and set. This is enough reason to cheer and be positive for yourself and your loved ones. This too will pass.
If you’re in need of health insurance to help you through the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak feel free to reach out to our professional agents and see what health insurance program might be right for you, that can help you through this time. Call Vivna, Inc. today to learn more here: 866.793.2301