Stress + Coronavirus: Tools for Coping While in Isolation

These last few weeks have been quite the test for staying calm while in isolation and apart from friends, family and loved ones. Not being able to live our lives as we normally do definitely has its toll on our sanity. With all of us confined to our homes, normal every day activities like, frequenting our favorite restaurants, traveling on vacation and celebrating special occasions seem like things of the past. Whether you’re struggling financially, juggling work and homeschooling your children or just trying to keep it all together amidst the chaos of this pandemic, managing stress is crucial to maintaining the stability needed to withstand this extended period of isolation.

The coronavirus continues to affect us all in so many different ways, but one common factor among everyone is that we are all stressed out. It seems that our stress levels have sky rocketed. Whether we are reading the barrage of news stories everyday or worrying about catching the virus or convincing loved ones about the seriousness of staying indoors and protecting ourselves, new stressors have entered our already stressful lives and it doesn’t appear that this will let up any time soon.

The most important thing that we can do now is focus on reducing our stress levels and it starts with acknowledging that we are stressed and that it’s okay to feel this way. There’s never been a better time to take those “mental health days” that we talk about when work seems to be especially demanding. If you are able to take time off from work to clear your mind and step away from your job, now is the time to do so.

For those that are not fortunate to have paid time off, managing stress will look a bit different, but having the right tools now to support you through this time will certainly help in the long term. Regardless of your circumstances, here are some tools for coping with the increased stress that we’ve all experienced lately:

Talking about your stress with others and relating to friends, family and co-workers can be a major source of stress relief as acknowledging the shared nature of the stress can alleviate its effects.
Stay connected with friends, family and loved ones, via FaceTime and other forms of video chatting.
Be vigilante when it comes to protecting yourself and loved ones from exposure to the virus. Limit your interaction with the public, be sure to regularly wash your hands and avoid touching your face, especially around your nose, mouth and eyes.
Take on a simple creative activity that takes your mind off the stress, such as coloring, painting, or drawing.
Practice meditation and other mindfulness/breathing exercises.
Keep a gratitude list of people, places and things that you are grateful for and that bring joy, happiness and comfort to your life.
Seek professional help through your insurance plan.
Utilize NYC Well, a 24/7/365 free, confidential counseling service provided to New Yorkers. Call 1.888.NYC.WELL (1.888.692.9355)
Download any of these free apps that are available for addressing stress, anxiety, depression, sleep issues and peer support, stemming from COVID-19.

Keep in mind that being stressed during this time of extended isolation is completely normal and that its okay to try new and different things to cope with and reduce the increased stress levels that we are all experiencing. Stay safe and stay healthy!

Disclaimer: This blog post and similar posts are not to be considered as providing legal advice. The discussion here is meant for educational and informational purposes only and shall not create an attorney-client relationship with the readers of this content.