Hello, friends! I ask that question genuinely – how are you doing? As I write this, I’m working from home and practicing social distancing, the new phrase that’s entered our zeitgeist. COVID-19 is spreading and these uncertain and slightly unprecedented times can be troublesome for anyone, but especially us here in Laura’s Group who deal with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder and the anxiety that comes with it.
Our groups have been cancelled for the week, and we’re transitioning to a new – hopefully temporary – normal of having our meetings digitally. Thankfully we have technology to bring us together while keeping apart. But during this time, I wanted to share with you all some thoughts I’ve gathered from around the web on how to deal with the stress and anxiety of this crazy time.
As you all know, I’m no licensed professional. I’m just your friendly neighborhood wannabe blogger with her own anxiety she deals with on a daily basis. Here are some things to keep in mind that I find helpful myself:
1. Take breaks from the news. “But the news is where the news is!” I hear you say. I know. But inundating yourself with too much news – pandemic or not – can put a strain on your mental health. Personally, I had to make the hard decision to stay away from day-to-day news unless it was deemed super important. Politics, weather, local happenings, etc. None of it was worth taking away from my mental well-being. Make a deal with yourself to only look at the news once or twice a day – maybe the late morning and the early evening – and then being done with it the rest of the day. These times are good because you’re not starting your day with possibly sad news and you’re not ending your day with possibly sad news. And if you decide on those two times, make a plan to do something positive and uplifting afterwards if you can to cleanse your mental palate. Read a bit from a good book. Listen to a happy song. Hug a loved one.
2. Read the news from reliable sources. If or when you do consume the news, make sure it’s from only reliable sources. There are many outlets out there looking to sensationalize the stories and accidentally create fear. Be sure you’re going to sources you trust – like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – and don’t be afraid to ask yourself whether or not it’s a good source of information.
3. Don’t over catastrophize. I know with this virus it’s very easy to go to the worst-case scenario in your head. Instead develop a plan of action. What are you going to do to prevent getting sick? What does that plan look like? Will you be washing your hands more? Disinfecting your phone? Changing travel plans? These are all steps you can take to mitigate the exposure. Try not to go with my normal advice of thinking “What’s the worst that can happen? How would you cope?” because that can be a little scary in this instance. But continue to think about the things you do have control over and take the proper steps to see those through.
4. Practice good self-care. Like I said – read a good book (Melissa probably has a recommendation or two if you need one), take a walk around the block, start a new show on Netflix, or even do a calming face mask. There are so many little things that can be done while you practice self-isolation and social distancing. Don’t forget to shower and wash your hair – as hard as that might be for you. Use this time to clean your room. Accomplishing a task can be rewarding any time, but in this time of uncertainty it’s another thing you have control over that you can do.
5. Reach out to friends and loved ones. We here at Laura’s Group are your friends. Once we have our digital meetups set, please come to one! This isn’t a shameless plug for the group, but rather a small testimonial that talking about your anxieties with other people who have similar concerns can help get a little bit of that weight off your chest. Set up Skype or Facebook chats with your close ones. Did you know you can play Uno through Facebook with your friends? Ask each other how you all are doing and be open and honest about your feelings. It’s likely that at least one other person is feeling at least a little bit like you are.
6. Seek professional help. If this is all too overwhelming for you, it might be a good idea to reach out to your therapist. Or reach out to a new therapist if you don’t already have one. Many are moving to telehealth sessions done via phone call or video chat, so you can remain isolated while still reaching out. I know we have each other to figuratively lean on when times get tough, but like I said, we’re not professionals. A licensed therapist can offer solid coping solutions and even help you get to some of the roots of your anxieties not only during these tough times, but during other times as well.
This is definitely an anxiety-inducing time. Studies have shown that more people are diagnosed with their first mental health problems during times of crisis like this. In the coming weeks and months as we learn the new normal and try different ways of going about our daily lives, we must all keep that in mind and remember we’re all fighting tough battles.
So what are you doing to help lessen your mental loads? Are you reading anything good? Watching anything lighthearted? Did you give your loved one a heartfelt tap on the elbow? Let me know how you’re coping in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
I hope you and yours are safe and healthy throughout all of this. If you need a little extra help with your anxieties, please do reach out to me or one of the other leaders. We love all of you!
Be well!