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Background:
I am currently writing this post on a spirit plane on my way to Marco Island, Florida. Airplanes seem like they would be the worst place to be right now because of the Corona Virus, but I am honestly finding peace from the silence and being removed from social media.
I feel like things are so overwhelming right now. I have no idea how, but the Corona Virus has completely taken over the world, it is the only thing we talk about these days. What started as a warning of a potential threat, turned into a national emergency and worldwide pandemic. Next thing we know, schools and work are closing and supplies are running low.
I don’t think I am the only one who is anxious because of the chaos that the Corona Virus has caused. So I wanted to write a post to calm your nerves (and mine) and spread some positivity.
Where is the stress coming from?
Students are out of school, kids need care, adults are not being paid, companies are losing money and we are running out of toilet paper! Toilet paper!! [If you are one of those bulk buyers please share some for the rest of us who aren’t as good of planners ;)]
In addition to this, social media and news outlets make it so hard for you to escape the chaos. I usually find my quiet time on my phone scrolling through Instagram or twitter. But now instead of making me laugh, social media is adding to my anxiety. This is because anyone can say whatever they want, even spread dramatized or fake news.
I know there are a lot of memes about the world ending and it is innocent humor but they add up to making people quite anxious. This is not the end of the world and isn’t the worst illness that we have seen. And of course there will always be conspiracy theories about the cause of the virus and if it serves a purpose etc. but these things mean nothing. If you spend your precious time reading those you will just make it worse for yourself.
One thing about this virus is that it is inconvenient for everyone. Yet, people like to share their stories about how they were affected almost as if it is a competition. My peers feel that their college freshman year was “ripped away from them”, or seniors sad about missing prom, or your once in a lifetime trip to Italy got cancelled. Small businesses are losing money, the stock market is crashing, elderly can’t leave their home, and supplies are running low. Everyone’s routine is disrupted but this thread of negativity needs to stop because it is really harmful to our mental health.
So what can we do to find calm among the chaos of the corona virus?
1. Take a Social Media Break
Stay away from Twitter. It breeds this kind of chaos.
2. Find one reliable source that you like, and only read their posts about the COVID-19
This will give you consistency in updates and prevent you from being overwhelmed by multiple sources.
3. Stop Living in Fear
Living in fear will never be the answer. Universities cancelling schools because of liabilities and the mass return of spring breakers is different from you not going to the grocery. It is important to be cautious rather than careless, but the world does not need to come to a complete halt. Now when I say this, I mean it for healthy people. Obviously if you feel the symptoms and are sick please stay inside and allow your body to rest.
4. Support Local Businesses
With the stock market declining and businesses struggling, try to play your part.
5. Help Others
Help out those who have higher risk of being infected such as the elderly, people with respitory issues, or weak immune systems. Offer to go to the store for them. If you are healthy, offer to babysit the kids that are out of school and have parents still at work. Donate to impoverished areas to help get the homeless people into a shelter and prevent the spread of the disease. Donate food to the food pantry for the families that depend on school meals. If there is a need in your community, contribute to aiding it.
6. Engage in Genuine Conversation
It is important that when conversing with your friends, family and strangers, you are genuine. Ask them how their day is going. Talk about your family, work, anything fun going on in your life. It is exhausting to have small talk about the Corona Virus with every person you see that day. Be that person that people find refreshing to talk to.
7. Take a deep breath.
If you find yourself getting very overwhelmed and stressed out, take a step back and take a deep breath. It is proven to calm you down.
8. Get Good Sleep
Not only will this make you less stressed, but a regular sleep schedule is needed to maintain a strong immune system.
9. Get Shit Done!
Nobody wants to be quarantined. However, if you are going to spend time alone or stuck in your house, try to be productive. If you just sit around it will allow you to overthink everything. Instead you should do work from home, work on online classes, but also do fun things like learn a new skill online. I am spending time blogging and redoing my room. Organizing your room and painting your walls is a great way to stay busy in your house and give you a fresh feel.
10. Distance yourself from friends who stress you out.
It is okay to step back from your friends who only want to talk about the Corona Virus and are disrupting your calm. Of course you still love them and are their friend, but you need to take care of yourself and your mental health.
Now for some positive news about the corona virus:
“Of about 80,000 people sick from COVID-19 in China, more than 70% have recovered and been discharged from hospitals”
World Health Organization
“Scientists figured out how the coronavirus breaks into human cells, which will help significantly with developing treatments.”
Live Science
I’m sure you can relate to the anxiety caused by this chaos so I hope that these snippets of positivity and advice help you.
Sincerely, Meghan Ann
Want more tips? Check out these two links: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/how-to-stay-calm-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-anxiety-relief-tips.html https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-stay-calm-during-coronavirus-outbreak
