10 Tips for Coping during Covid-19

We are all Fighting our own battle

To hear the words, “we are all fighting our own battle” is truly an understatement – ESPECIALLY during this time. We have all been forced to make adjustments that were never part of our plan. Forced to change our routines and shift our focus from fun to safe! We are living in a time that will undoubtedly go in the history books and change our generation forever.

The “New” Us

The new us – wears masks regularly, washes and sanitizes our hands with every interaction and focuses mainly on ourselves. Paranoia has grown like a wild fire – and understandably so. Evidence shows new strains of the Virus being discovered in other countries —just when we thought the vaccines were coming in to save us.

I’m not sure if there is a light at the end of this tunnel … because every one of us has experienced loss in one way or another.

Where do we go from here?

What do we do now? Where do we go from here? The natural disasters keep coming, hospitals keep filling up, work and school expectations push for us to comply. Our new working from home way of life is not as ideal as we all thought it would be.

Although it’s easy to focus on all of the pain that we are experiencing – we need to re-shift our focus –on each other. Reaching out and extending a listening ear and helping hand to your friends and family – who need YOU! Everyone of us is fighting a battle – and so many of us are on the verge of giving up!

When I feel down, I focus on my circumstance and start to drown in my sorrows…. but what I’ve learned is that I don’t have to stay there! We assume everyone is fine but have you actually asked any of them? We don’t know what is behind the mask of their reality.

Showing Up

We truly underestimate how much we can impact one another. We stay locked up in our homes with our own feelings and we get comfortable there. What we need to realize, is that WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER!

This virus is not going away anytime soon and we need to reach out – get comfortable with asking how your friends and family are? Most people don’t like to open up, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying! Maybe you are that person to help them with their anxiety or depression, offer guidance — you never know what they need -until you ask! Let’s allow ourselves to be emotionally vulnerable … and care about others! Make the call …send the email, write the text – whatever it is …don’t wait!

Statistics

Statistics show that anxiety, depression and suicide have significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicidal thoughts increased most dramatically amongst adults ages 18-24 going from 10.7% to 25.5%. In a study that showed all ages, the increase in suicidal thoughts went from an average of 4.3 % to 11 % since the pandemic began. In my son’s school alone, there have been three deaths due to suicide this school year!

You can make a difference!

Although we would all like to think we are okay – there are many of us who are not okay! We need to stop making assumptions that everyone is okay — because YOU NEVER KNOW! Often times, suicide does not look like a person hiding in their dark closet – crying and not eating for days …it looks like every day life for them. To us, as an outsider it looks like they are “fine” – but inside they are screaming to feel fine — suffering every day.

God’s Got YOU!

If you are one of the people who are struggling – know that there is always someone there to listen and to help you. Be brave – reach out to a friend and share your pain. The relief starts when you open up to just one person. If you do not have family or friends that you are comfortable reaching out to – there are always churches, local groups and people who are there to help.

Psalm 34:17

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255

I can be that person to if you need someone – send me a message and I will respond.

How we can help …

1. Stay home and stay safe as much as you can. This will help stop the spread. Wear your mask when you decide to venture out.
2. Go through your contact list – reach out to a person or two every couple of days to see how they are doing. Maybe go the extra step and call them instead of just messaging them.
3. Call your local shelters and / or Churches to see if you can offer any assistance – food donations / blankets – your time.
4. Donate to non-profits that are helping with Covid 19 efforts
5. When possible, support your local small businesses.
6. Help a senior who might be in need. If you have a neighbor or someone you know – reach out to them and ask them if you can help them by shopping for them or assist them with their online shopping if they do not know how to do that.
7. love on your family a little more – we may see them regularly and assume they are fine but it never hurts to show more love. I think we can all use more love in our every day lives.
8. Reach out for help if you are struggling – there is no shame in opening up the door to get help. There is nothing more crippling then not using sources out there to better your life – this is one that is highly overlooked. Schedule one therapy session – you will be happy you did! It can be a freeing feeling.
9. Exercise – and if you can take a walk with someone else – do that – this is a WIN WIN! Exercise is one of the most underused sources of therapy.
10. Facetime a family or friend from long distance – its nice to see faces and I am sure they will be just as happy seeing your face! 🙂

Whatever you do, do it with love! We will get through this together.

xoxo – Terial