Welcome back to my blog! This post will be sort of different from my previous posts. Instead of focusing on women, today I'll be writing for the well-being of all.
COVID-19 has changed our lives forever and this global pandemic isn’t over yet. This is the first time our generations have witnessed and lived through such an event. I’ll try to keep this post light hearted, but this crisis is real and should be taken seriously. Please stay informed, stay safe, and be considerate of your action. Listen to our health professionals! (Listen to science, not fear) Nations around the world have issues quarantines and home isolations in order to slow the spread of the virus and to keep people safe. In some places, this isolation has been ordered for 30 days and in other places, 2 weeks. Regardless of the time length, being quarantined to one place for days on end can be stressful or trigger unhealthy thoughts. Fear and anxiety can cause overwhelming and cause strong emotions in both adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Today I’ll be sharing tips on coping with quarantine and mental health that I have found helpful— I’m no professional, so please seek further help in serious cases (visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746. Sadly, home isn’t a safe place for everyone, you can visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224). Control the narrative It’s important to keep yourself sane and calm. Try changing your mindset— I know easier said than done. But instead of thinking, “I’m stuck in the house”, try thinking, “Now I can focus on myself/on my home”. Do you have a closet that you’ve been meaning to clean out since Christmas? Now’s the time! Have a book that you never got around to reading? Pick it up. Just try not to think of yourself as a prisoner. Feeling stuck or trapped will only worsen your anxiety. Take this time to focus on yourself and really slow down. Don’t become obsessed Big Rona has completely taken over news cycles. Every news channel, social media site, and talk show host is talking about the coronavirus. While it’s important to stay informed and up-to-date, avoid unnecessary coverage. Counting death tolls and confirmed cases will not help your mind stay at peace. Try binge watching your favorite show, or try a new series. Self-care I can’t stress this enough, take care of yourself! It’s important! Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. Self-care needs to be something you actively plan, rather than something that just happens. It is an active choice and you must treat it as such. Take a long hot bubble bath. Turn off your phone, pour a glass of wine, and watch a movie! Try a face mask, YouTube has some great DIYs! Meditate, paint, listen to music— what I’m trying to say is self-care looks different for everyone. Find what relaxes you and makes you happy, then do it! You deserve it. Create a routine Routines are good! I know many people’s anxiety stem from breaking their routine. So why not make a new one? It may not be the one you’re used to, but it’s always good to try. Create a deliberate habit, and routinize something small in your life by doing it in the same way each day— pick a time of the day to get up and stretch or do yoga, or a day of the week to dedicate to cleaning. Relax Now I know this seems obvious but it’s easy to forget. Slow down, listen to yourself, and recalibrate. You don't have to use this time to try to do everything you've always wanted to do. And you're not a failure if you aren't using this as "extra credit" time. It's a pandemic, not a productivity contest. Practice positive self-talk Stop comparing yourself to others and be sure to practice positive self-talk. During stressful times like these, it’s easy to think negatively, even if we try not to. Positive self-talk is important! Vital! The way you talk to yourself shapes the way you view yourself and the world. Self-talk is powerful, it will boost your confidence and help you think more optimistically. Make sure you have the right attitude to accomplish your goals and just live your life. Practice positive self-talk, now and always. Besides, of all the people on this planet, you talk to yourself more than anyone. Make sure you are saying the right things! These are just a few things that have helped me get through this troubling time. Again, I’m not a professional and there are so many resources that could help better than I can, use them! Hard times don’t last forever, stay positive, healthy, and safe. Wash your hands and tune in next week! Thank you for reading *insert heart emoji*
3 Comments
Zahria Harvey
4/7/2020 09:56:37 pm
This really helped me a-lot actually. This entire situation has given me increased anxiety thinking about the people I love most in many places all over the world including New York which is a huge hub for COVID-19 right now. I will definitely be trying to alter my mindset to relax more and come to terms with reality.
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Joyce Glenn
4/14/2020 04:15:41 pm
Hey Shyanne, I enjoyed reading your blog. This pandemic is absolute serious, I appreciate you taking the time to address mental health. As someone who suffers from anxiety I found this post super helpful! Can't wait to read your next post!
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Jordyn Edwards
4/14/2020 08:35:03 pm
Thank you for these tips! I have had a habit of staying inside my head while trying to process everything that is going on in our crazy world. I will definitely be trying what you suggested.
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AuthorHi, I'm Shyanne Dyson. I'm a senior at Hampton University studying Cybersecurity. Between being a student, daughter, sister, friend, ally, and volunteer, you can add blogger to the list. Archives
April 2020
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