How are you taking care of your mental health during this global pandemic times?

[SeekingAfrica]

We all know the news and statistics and things to prevent getting infected physically.

But at least for me all the constant news and stats and emergency measures, while needed, are also creating this constant state of waiting what's next. It's stressful. The psychology of people in panic and under pressure is scary. So while it's important to keep up to date and keep physically safe, I think it's just as important at times like this to remember to take care of our mental health too.

How are you taking care of your mental health and staying calm and balanced in those times?

 

[MrMoonlight]

I'm not going to watch a lot of news. I'll limit myself to local news in the morning or evening to keep myself updated about my state and important national information.

I'm going to concentrate on getting an exercise schedule going. That should help my mental state. Does it aslo improve immune health? It must.?

 

[Deanna]

I read a column by someone that had the virus and she said it lasted about two weeks. Apparently, she had two kids and her husband tested negative. She said the flu she had at one time, was worse.

As far as me? Really not okay. I keep reading hoping to find something to back this whole thing up in my head, and I'm not okay. It'll take a couple of days of calm for me to figure where I'm at. I will find that article and post it.

 

[Ronin]

I mind damned many I'm not helping.

Not effected by anything else.
Powerless to protect? Yeah.

That and other things.
(Recent) Losses so gutting me the damn flu doesn't even blip.

And other shit. As the whole health thing. My own? Had to work super hard at being bothered by inability to breathe the other day.

Because not panicked. Vaya con Dios.
Except, wait. The f*cking promises. And miles.

 

[Deanna]

Here's the article
'I Tested Positive For Novel Coronavirus. Here's What It's Like'

 

[whiteraven]

The whole being sick thing doesn't bother me at all. I honestly don't care. I was talking to my mom tonight (she is 85) and she said, her luck, she would get it and not die. LOL That's how I feel.

All the closings, though, and not knowing if I'll be able to go to my new job, is really creating a LOT of anxiety and panic. Lots of stuff going on, woven into and through the virus stuff. I'm planning to stay in as much as possible with my cats. They bring me more peace and help me stay in-the-moment more than anything/anyone I can think of.

 

[mumstheword]

My yoga routine
Here
Not going out, coz I dont, anyway, normaly
I can't watch TV, don't even have one
Don't, can't do social media, either
YouTube instead

It hasn't hit, hard, yet, and because I don't go out, anyway (yes, my CPTSD + ASD devolved into a form of Agoraphobia) I'm hoping my hospital admission will still.be able to go ahead, coz if it can't, coz of the virus, I'll probably REALLY feel that

Also, if everything can't go ahead for my new degree, or if I can't get the support to get there, I will probably be having some issues, around that.

 

[Teasel]

Does it aslo improve immune health?

I read that being physically fit helps, as does eating foods that feed your gut biome.

 

[Changing4Best]

I don't own a TV. That helps a lot. If I want to know about it, I read articles online from medical publication's, with the CDC and other reputable sources. So far, I have been able to keep a calm state of mind.

 

[PerfectEmpire]

I'm living in a place that has been hit hard, and I have potentially been exposed, am experiencing symptoms, and yet am unable to get tested. Can you say "stress?"! Add to that the stress of sudden changes in plans, the town being shut down, etc.

The stress has been triggering and I've had unwanted random trauma memories and panic attacks. I've been dealing with it by empowering myself to wash my hands, disinfect my surroundings, rest a lot, and try to focus on other things so that my body can put its energy towards recovering from whatever I did get. When I notice the elevation in PTSD anxiety/symptoms, I remind myself of what the situation is and that it makes sense that I would be stressed.

To help psychologically, I started collecting positive facts and news stories. For instance, volunteers in China rescuing abandoned pets, Maryland school system that will continue to feed 100,000 children their free breakfasts and lunches despite being closed, younger people visiting older people in nursing homes by talking to them through walls and windows, Disneyland donating the excess food to a food bank since they will be closed, and more. This helps me to feel empowered, less afraid, and to not panic.

Also humor. For some reason people see a respiratory pandemic and decide that they need to buy up all of the toilet paper. And I happened to run out of toilet paper as all of this was occurring!

 

[TruthSeeker]

Initially, I look at this virus from a teacher's point of view....when schools started to close....my teacher part got all excited.....it's vacation mode....so I planned the corona virus issue like it was a holiday. While that doesn't make sense to most....snow/ice/blackout/hurricane/tornado/wind damage and NO SCHOOL=vacation=freedom from work;.....so my head heard virus=school's out=freedom/party time (and I'm in "old mode" cause I retired???! When I hear "No school" I have always planned something special to do....always....so this time was no different-even being retired. Sounds Pavlovian to me.

Pre-planning:
I'm good with food, water, party food and regular food, shelter, heat/air, and meds, propane and charcoal for grilling, got cash/credit cards pd.
I have lots of home clean up/organize projects to do.
Netflix/Prime catching up.... (until everyone is streaming during the day-arg-and access becomes an issue)
Go fishing in my back yard.
Get outside in the sunshine....and do backyard grilling with charcoal......it takes longer and I just love charcoal
Make homemade pizza and pizza sauce....
Do some artwork that I have started
I have lots of home clean up/organize projects to do.
Being cooped up....I can catch up on a lot of my writing, online business things and poetry.
Do car photography to get out when I can't stand being home anymore. The car is parked in the garage so only open windows when I'm shooting animals and there are some nice secluded places to drive, and birds are everywhere!

What I know:
*Schools are closed, parks are closed, and more restrictions will come likely come for heavily impacted areas with the virus like possibly closing the state borders where the virus spreads rapidly.
*There is a reason for phase 2 containment measures-to slow/stop the number of deaths and serious secondary illnesses in high risk populations. Just because we don't have it now, doesn't mean we can't impact someone else negatively if we contracted it and had only had a minor case.
*Viruses....no matter what kind.....spread before they die off-so the likelihood I'd come in contact with someone who knew someone who actually tested positive is likely-and has happened. I just got a call from my journey group leader (we got together Thursday) who told me she has been in direct contact with someone who tested positive (only like 40 cases in the state-really-some bad odds there) so to self-contain myself at home. So, I have to be careful not to go near others and spread it...if I have contracted it).I know chills/fever are a symptom-and I have chills/no fever-but I also got vaccinated for Hep A&B and rabis on Friday....so, not to be alarmed, as those can also cause chills/fever.
*Contact doc if breathing is negatively impacted.....or fever is very high
*Just cause I have a fever doesn't mean it's Corona-19 or I'm gonna die. Yeah...unhealthy to think like that.
No need to worry excessively-I'm not in a high risk category.....it is a virus...it will die out and if I catch it.....then I'll most likely be immune-to this strand of virus.

What I don't know:
How long my schedule will be impacted by things being shut down and how the virus will impact the U.S.

What I can do:
Create a routine at home
Do fun things
Be industrious-use this time wisely to do positive things around the house that I don't normally have time to do.
Not be stupid and go in crowds whether feeling great or not....complying could save mine or someone else's life.

 

[Justmehere]

There is the illness itself, which doesn't scare me (and I may already have it, maybe not.) It's the societal impact that gets to me. Also, the loss of access to healthcare I need for a chronic condition.

Trying to tell myself adapt and keep going with the flow, as my daily life gets turned upside down. Hanging on to my faith too helps. Joking around with friends on video helps as well. We are all feeling the stress of quarantines happening in our area and city, and the mutual support is really good. FaceTime and Zoom are keeping me more sane.