Coronavirus and our new normal
Coronavirus has thrust itself into the lives of each and every human being across the planet without discrimination. Each and every one of us across the world have had to adjust to a new way of living, a new normal.
We’ve never experienced anything like it and the impact is huge. So how can we expect to know how to respond, how to cope, how to continue each day with hope and a positive outlook when we have no idea when this might end?
We are living in times in which this has become the one thing we’re focusing enormously on and it’s too easy to focus on the negative impact this has had on us all. There’s no light to be seen at the end of the tunnel.
It’s left us feeling out of control, anxious, fearful, isolated, lonely, worried, and uncertain about the future. It’s impacted our relationships, our sense of connection, our interactions, our homelife, our work-life, and our plans.
We’re going through this together but our experiences may be very different. How are you managing your new normal? Is it creating any unhealthy habits?
It’s so very important to check in with yourself regularly to monitor your mood in order to catch any deterioration early. It’s useful to have a checklist of all the things that help pick you back up when you’re feeling overwhelmed, a phone call to a friend, a relaxing bath, picking up a book, writing a diary, taking a walk, meditation, gardening, a piece of music, drawing or colouring, guided relaxation, breathing exercises, watching a film you enjoy, the list goes on.
It is also important to remember that the emotions you’re experiencing are completely normal. It’s okay to talk about them, shout about them, write about them, and feel them. Acknowledge how the outbreak has left you feeling and make yourself comfortable with it. We’re dealing with something outside of our control and it will inevitably leave us feeling uneasy. If you need to, have a good cry, expressing your emotions shows strength, not weakness, it takes courage to open ourselves up and show vulnerability to those around us and you’ll be helping others to understand that it’s okay for them too.
As human beings we need connection to others to survive, having this taken away from us to one extent or another during lockdown and ongoing social distancing measures will leave us feeling incomplete and removed from our social circles. Try to maintain this contact as best you can, online, by phone, by text, by letter. Be creative in finding new ways of connecting with people close to you and to other people having similar feelings. Consider Facebook groups or Zoom social meetings. It’s not going to be quite the same but it will help.
Consider what you’ve learned and could learn going forward throughout the epidemic, can you take anything positive away from it? Has it changed anything for the better? Has it given you any opportunities? When we can focus on the benefits it helps us feel calmer and more in control. Stop and take stock. Light up the tunnel until the end is in sight!
And if you need more professional emotional support, seek help. Face to face therapy is now available for those that want it and wherever this feels unsafe, you can always access telephone or online therapy to talk through your difficulties. Reach out.
