Content caution: this blog talks about the stress of COVID-19. If you’re struggling, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
While Covid has definitely taught me lots of lessons that I wouldn’t have learnt if last year hadn’t turned out the way it did, it’s also brought a new type of anxiety and worry with it. Even though 2020 was a year that no one could have predicted or planned for, you took it in your stride. The main message I want to get across today is to remind you that you are doing a great job! If you are worried about what’s happening in the world, your feelings are valid and understandable. Yes, accepting that you’re worried doesn’t make that worry go away but it means you can take steps to help yourself.
Our stress can come out in different ways. It can cause symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Feeling sick
- Palpitations
- Rashes
- Frequent colds/flu
Because there are so many symptoms, it means that everyone has different coping mechanisms and strategies to work through the problems. Especially during this pandemic, one of the most important things to do is to look after yourself. Whether you do this by dedicating 30 minutes to meditation every day or having a self-care routine before bed it’s important to find something that works for you. Make time for you. Just because you’re not leaving the house, it doesn’t mean that you’re not working hard. Giving yourself a specific activity to do can be a good way of separating your time as well as giving you something to look forward to!
Here are some general ideas for giving yourself a break:
- Bake a cake
- Print off a fun picture and colour it in
- Go for a run
- Have a silent disco in your room
- Phone a friend
- Watch your favourite film (or a new film!)
- Have a themed night
Honestly, the lockdown in March last year felt like a lifeline for me. I was struggling more than ever before and the chance for a break sounded incredible. Yes, it wasn’t “ideal” – a worldwide pandemic is hardly something I was wishing for – but if it meant I could switch off from everything around me, I was willing to do anything. I’m sure anyone else who lives with any mental illness can relate when I say that while it started off as relief, it slowly turned to dread as I realised that I’d have to face the world at some point. It didn’t matter if it was 2 days, 2 weeks or 2 years down the line: at some point I’d have to reintegrate back into society.
Living with depression, it can sometimes feel like no amount of time will ever be able to give you the energy you need to move forward. The uncertainty in the whole situation quickly became unnerving: like everyone else, I was left wondering what now? This left me grasping to find any coping mechanisms I could – and fast.
Throughout the last 10 months, there have been a few things that I know helped me a lot. I’ve separated this into different lists to make it slightly easier to read!
In the morning:
- I change out of my pjs
- Do my bed
This helps me distinguish between night and day – especially because it’s winter and so much of the day feels dark and gloomy! Although they sound like fairly simple things, it makes a huge difference to my day if the bed isn’t as easy for me to hop back into and I’m not in the same clothes I’m sleeping in.
Throughout the day:
- Structure the day
- Find small projects to do (from colouring in pictures to LEGO)
- Giving myself limits for how long I’m spending on work
- Taking organised breaks
- Resting when I need it (or at least trying my hardest to!)
By separating the day into “chunks”, it can feel easier to manage and to deal with. It’s so tempting to get fixated on one task but remember that it’s important to get up and move too (even if it’s just to go and get a glass of water).
Other things to do that you may find useful:
- Taking social media breaks
- Reaching out for help when you need to
- Calling a friend when you feel lonely
As anyone could tell you, this pandemic is different to anything any of us have ever experienced before. It’s completely okay if it takes a little while to figure out what you’re doing and how best to deal with this whole situation.
We can get through this together!
Love and good vibes,
Amrit