By: Melissa Hill, LCSW, ACHT
I don’t know about you but I am getting a little stir-crazy with the quarantine. Yesterday, I had a conversation with a spider. Was nice enough. He’s a web designer… ????
Certainly, I am not the only one affected by the social distancing and quarantine. Considering the anxiety and depression this is causing my clients, I thought I would pass along the 8 recommendations to you that I have passed on to them:
Certainly, I am not the only one affected by the social distancing and quarantine. Considering the anxiety and depression this is causing my clients, I thought I would pass along the 8 recommendations to you that I have passed on to them:
- Avoid the media
- Self-care
- Effect on our children
- Give back & be of service
- Have fun – be creative
- Add to your income
- Seek professional assistance
- Look for the good…
#1: Limit your exposure to the media. The news breeds and feeds off of fear and panic and doesn’t tell the whole story.
Stick to the facts. Check out this data-only website:
What I found relieving was the statistic that 97% of those diagnosed with the virus were considered in mild condition, while 3% were considered in critical or serious condition, warranting hospital attention.
Additionally, of the 7.59 billion of people in the world, 0.0017% have died from the COVID-19 virus. Compare that to CDC estimates that during the 2018–2019 season, an estimated 35.5 million Americans were sick with influenza, with 16.5 million people going to a health care provider for their illness. This resulted in 490,600 hospitalizations and 34,200 deaths from influenza[2]. Now, I recognize the pain and suffering of those who have passed and lost a loved one, and I also invite us to keep these numbers in context. PERSPECTIVE is very important.
#2: Take care of yourself = SELF-CARE. Go outside and expose your skin to the sun, which aids in the production of Vitamin D—a feel good chemical.
Physical exercise is also very important. Many of my clients have had to be resourceful since their gyms are closed. For example, you can carry half gallons of milk in each hand while doing lunges. Or, go up and down the stairs—2 at a time. Trust me, you will feel the burn. Step up and down on an ottoman or chair or walk around your yard or a parking lot. Something is better than nothing when it comes to your physical health and exercise releases other feel good chemicals in the brain.
#3: This has been a VERY difficult time for my teen and tween clients that I work with in adolescent counseling. Staying home is devastating when their friend group is everything!
I would say 100% of the adolescents I work with miss school. I run an adolescent support group every week, so I know this is true. They say they even miss dressing up.
What should a parent do? Well, act as if your kids are in school and let them know what their bedtime is Sunday through Thursday, which influences the time they need to wake up Monday through Friday. Have them complete their e-learning in the morning (vs. afternoon), which ensures they get it done. Make sure you have access to their progress/grades, and check in regularly with their teachers.
Take away ALL forms of technology like their phones, iPad, and cords to the TV/video games – at least until their school work is done. It may be challenging at first but the outcome is worth it.
#4: Have fun. Be creative.
Some things my clients have done are:
- Taken FREE dance lessons on YouTube (check this out: Dance Lessons
- Tried new recipes (try out new 4th of July creations!)
- DIY Home Improvements (move from “honey-do” to “honey-did” lists ????)
- Declutter/re-organize (which has proven to reduce anxiety!)
- Game Night with the fam: Board games/card games
- Pet a pet/foster from a shelter (reduces heart rate and blood pressure – a natural stress reliever)
- Movie Night – I recommend comedies. Laughter releases endorphins in the brain—another ‘feel good’ chemical
#5: Give back. Be of service.
- Write letters or send cards to loved ones. People love personal mail. And, it only costs 55 cents!
- Give to the needy and/or donate to local businesses that are devastated by the quarantine. Buy a gift certificate from your favorite merchant(s).
#6: If you’re struggling with keeping up with bills. Clear out jewelry boxes, the basement and/or attic looking for valuable items. Sell them on eBay or take to a pawn shop if you want to avoid the hassle of listing yourself. Pawn shops are considered an essential business and are a source of QUICK CASH.
#7: Seek professional assistance thru counseling with a licensed therapist. If you need to vent or desire emotional support, we are here for you! Some insurance companies like Blue Cross/Blue Shield are waiving the co-pay for telehealth making it easier for you to obtain the services you need. At St. Charles Counseling, you can rely on our 75+ years of experience to help you and your loved ones get thru these trying times.
#8: Perspective
Think about the positives and find the good in a bad situation:
TRAFFIC is less, GAS is affordable. BILLS/LOANS are extended.
KIDS are home w/ family, PARENTS are home taking care of kids.
FAST FOOD has been replaced w/ home cooked meals. HECTIC SCHEDULES replaced by NAPS.
The AIR is CLEANER, the WORLD is quieter.
PEOPLE are conscious about HEALTH again.
MONEY doesn’t seem to make the world go around, and we are MORE CONSCIOUS of our spending.
We NOW have time to STOP and SMELL THE ROSES.
Lastly, we have become CLOSER to a creator of all good things.
Asking for simple things like protection over our loved ones, our neighbors and our world.
What if ALL of this was for a reason?
What if it was….
A RESET button for humanity.
[1] https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2017-2018.htm#table1