Maintaining Mental Wellness During a Pandemic

In writing this week’s post, I attempted to write about several other topics, but the current panicked climate during the COVID-19 pandemic is all that is on my mind. Alas, it has spilled into my writing.

To get an understanding of where I am coming from, here is what I have witnessed in the past week:

Sunday: I flew to Fort Myers, Florida, for spring break with my sister. We wore masks at the request of my grandparents, whom we were staying with for the week. We were 2 out of 3 people on a full flight wearing masks. The flight attendants handed out Clorox wipes.

Monday: the beach was packed with people who were not at all phased by the virus.

Tuesday: Walmart was full of people buying alcohol and hand sanitizer. If you coughed in a crowd, you could clear a six-foot radius. Life outside continued on.

Wednesday: conversations started up in the 55+ park. People at the pool asked my sister and I where we were from, as they had been all week, but now when we said Massachusetts - which had just declared a state of emergency - they seemed upset or offended. All state colleges announced a move to remote learning for at least two weeks.

Thursday: we flew into a ghost town version of Boston’s Logan Airport. Workers wore gloves. Many wore masks. Doors were opened by staff. Every shop was closed. Tarps were draped over freshly cleaned surfaces.

Today: the streets are deserted. My younger sisters are out of school for two weeks. Most schools are canceled until the end of March. Many of my friends have temporarily lost their jobs. All of the nearest stores are out of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and meat. Everything but the Walmart parking lot is quiet. The feeling is unsettling.

For anyone who has an anxiety disorder, who is at a higher risk for COVID-19, or who has loved ones they are worried about, the panic caused by this pandemic is very real. It is also serious for people who are low-income either putting themselves in harm’s way to continue working week to week or have lost their jobs as a result of any closures to reduce social interactions.

These groups are, in turn, vulnerable to harmful impacts of this pandemic, either directly - from the virus itself - or indirectly - from the panic. If you belong to these categories, or you know someone who is panicked about the virus, here are some ways to maintain mental wellness during these trying times:

Do Your Part to Stay Healthy.

Continue washing your hands, avoid touching your face, and wipe down your phone with alcohol wipes. Follow the rules for flu season with some added social distancing, and you’ll be doing your part!

Consider All Sides of the Situation.

If you pay attention to the news, they will likely focus on the stuff that grabs attention, which in this case, is mostly negative. The media has a way of striking constant fear into those who are already panicked, when their goal is to catch the attention of people who are not concerned and could potentially be putting others at risk. When you hear startling statistics or facts, consider the bigger picture. While thousands of people may be affected, think about how many of those people are in self-quarantine as opposed to the number of people who have tested positive, and understand that millions of people are still healthy. Still take precautions, but don't let the negativity of the situation bog you down completely.

Spend Your Energy Wisely.

Staying aware of how you are spending your energy is a great habit to pick up. If you waste your energy and tire yourself out, you could cause harm to your body’s ability to respond to illness. So, relax and keep in mind where your energy is going and if you want it spent on these tasks. Take care of yourself!

Stay in Touch During Social Distancing.

Even though social distancing is necessary to limit the spread of this disease, use forms of technology to stay in contact with people so as to not feel isolated. This can ease fears of isolation and allow you to talk to others during times of panic.

Ask for Help.

It is certainly reasonable to ask others for help when you need it in these trying times. Whether you need donations or someone to go into public spaces for you, asking for help is a sign of strength, and there are people willing to help you. Contacting friends or family, checking in with local organizations (like food banks), and posting on social media are just a few means of reaching out.