Life has changed for most of us as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Even as some aspects of life seem to go back to normal, other things may remain permanent.  Many of us have lost jobs and income. Some of our favourite shopping and eating establishments have gone out of business.

Beyond these changes, health and safety are factors that we can no longer take for granted. Many of the institutions which we assumed would safeguard us have proved fallible. We have been made to face the realisation that we are all to some extent vulnerable, at the same time as dealing with the concern of what may happen to our loved ones.

The pandemic, the lockdown and its aftermath may put you through an entire emotional roller coaster.  Stress, depression, loneliness, and frustration are some of the most common reactions in the age of social distancing. Those of us with pre-existing medical conditions may have felt especially anxious.

There are steps you can take to manage your emotional wellbeing during these uncertain times. Doing so will help you to maintain your composure through the turbulence and effectively be there for those to who you are closest. Let’s look at some of the ways you can take control of the situation:

1)        Connect Thoughts with Negative Emotions

Whether you are feeling anxious, stressed, depressed or angry, take time to consider which thoughts are contributing toward these emotions. Contrary to popular belief, most events are neither positive nor negative. Human beings attach meaning and perception to them. For example, you may be concerned about catching COVID-19 or that you may not be able to cope with another lockdown. If this is the case, it is likely to leave you feeling anxious. By becoming aware of these triggers, you will be better prepared to avoid them.

2)        Avoid Thinking in Absolutes

Working in conjunction with controlling negative triggers, try to prevent yourself from thinking in all or nothing terms. Is the situation a catastrophe or is there some middle ground you can identify? An example of this may be focusing more on the coping abilities you possess or that the situation is only temporary.

3)        Look at What You Still Control

Let’s face it, COVID-19 and the lockdown left many of us all feeling as if much was out of control. Even our governing institutions were not able to get a full handle on it. So, what can we do as individuals? As someone with a pre-existing medical condition, you probably felt especially vulnerable. In saying that, ask yourself if everything is out of your hands or if there are some things you still have control over. This may mean occupying yourself with new activities.

4)        Reach Out to Others

If you are feeling especially anxious or vulnerable take the opportunity to reach out to family or friends with who you have not caught up within a while. Consider checking to see how your neighbours are doing. As much as we have been social distancing ourselves from others, this pandemic has provided us with an opportunity to band together with others in our community.

5)        Derive Meaning from This Period

Think about if this pandemic has taught you anything about yourself.  During the lockdown period did you start to realise anything or see life through an alternative lens at all?  Did you miss the way that you were going about life before or were you secretly relieved? Consider if there are any lessons you could take away from the experience.

6)        Boost Physical Resiliency

Even if you are not guaranteed to avoid catching COVID-19 in the future, there are steps you can take to make you more resilient if you do catch it. Consider adopting some healthier eating patterns or following an exercise plan.  Both options can help you improve your cardio-respiratory function, boost your immune system, build strength, control blood pressure, and reduce body fat. Consequently, you are more likely to become physically resilient to COVID-19.  It may not guarantee you becoming completely invulnerable, but at the very least it can’t hurt you.

7)        Boost Emotional Resiliency

There are a variety of simple activities which can help to alleviate feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression. These include formulating a simple daily routine, going for nature walks, writing a gratitude journal, or practising mindful meditation. Each one of these can help to relax you and refocus your mind away from destructive thinking. This in turn can have a positive impact on your immune system, blood pressure and cardio-respiratory function.

We invite you to share your feedback with us. Have you tried any of these before? Have you tried anything different? What has worked for you? What has not worked?

Is there anything else you would like for us to cover?

Please like and share this page

Our website is www.illnesscoaching.com

Find our page on Facebook under MPower Illness Coaching, where you can join our community. You will see have a recorded video version of this blog on our YouTube Channel. MPower Illness Coaching

As always, if you are experiencing any severe medical or psychological symptoms, we always recommend you speak directly to a qualified professional.

Thank you for checking in with us and we’ll see you again soon.