Coronavirus: 8 Ways to Help Yourself and Others

When something like a virus outbreak happens, it’s easy for us to feel like we don’t have any control, and this allows anxiety to flourish. While the measures being implemented are to protect us and to try to keep us safe, isolation can have a dramatic impact on our mental health as well.

But while the wider situation may be out of our hands, we can take back control through the ways we can help – and that includes taking care of your mental wellbeing, and looking out for those who may be more vulnerable.

Here we look at some ways you can regain a sense of control, ease anxiety in this difficult time, and support others.

1. SWITCH OFF NOTIFICATIONS AND TUNE INTO OFFICIAL INFORMATION

As with many things that get picked up in the news, there is a lot of misinformation about coronavirus. It can be easy to get sucked into these articles, clicking on link after link until your head is swimming with panic-inducing headlines.

If you have news notifications set up, and you’re finding they are triggering anxiety, switch them off. Try to limit yourself to only reading information from official sources such as the NHS and Public Health England. If you’re not UK-based, take a look at the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for updates.

2. SPRING CLEAN YOUR SOCIAL

Sometimes it isn’t news outlets that trigger our anxiety, but the people in our social media feeds that have us worried. Perhaps you follow someone who is sharing unofficial news updates, or someone who is talking about it in a way that feels uncomfortable to you?

Whatever the reason, remember there’s no shame in unfollowing, or even temporarily muting, someone from your feed. Focus on following uplifting accounts that make you feel calm and in control.

3. ASK BEFORE ANALYSING

With a subject as topical as coronavirus, many of us will find ourselves talking about it constantly – with those in our households, and on every FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom call.

Although we might want to be kept informed, sometimes this can become overwhelming. It’s hard to know how the person we’re speaking to is feeling about the situation, and whether or not talking about it will trigger anxiety in them.

Before you start a conversation, check in with the person you’re talking to about it. Are they comfortable having a discussion, or would they rather you talked about something else? Similarly, be sure to share your own boundaries around the subject if you’re finding it tough to listen to.

4. TRY TO UNDERSTAND OPPOSING POINTS OF VIEWS

We all react to news like this differently, and rather than turning on each other, being kind and offering alternatives can be more productive. Remember, we’re all human and are doing the best we can with the tools we’ve got. However you are feeling is valid, and it’s important to give space to those feelings – frustration, fear, sadness, anxiety, anger. Some people might even find joy in spending more time with their family, and holding on to those special moments and memories is good, too.

5. SHOP MINDFULLY, SHOP LOCALLY

According to Alastair George, Investment Strategist at Edison Investment Research, it’s fear rather than the coronavirus that may be the UK economy’s biggest enemy. You may have noticed a lot of shops are being emptied of

However you are feeling is valid, and it’s important to give space to those feelings

their supplies, and while it’s easy to understand how fear is driving this behaviour, try to only buy what you need, and shop locally where you can. It’s small businesses that are most likely to be affected and who will need your ongoing support.

6. BE AWARE OF WHO YOU CAN HELP

If you know of anyone who may be struggling to get what they need, whether that’s information, health supplies or someone to talk to, see if there’s any way you can help.

Consider older people who may not be online or those with pre-existing conditions who are unable to make a trip to the shops. Perhaps drop a note with your mobile number through people’s letterboxes, offering support if you can, or signposting others who can support them.

7. CONSIDER WHERE A CHANGE TO BEHAVIOUR COULD BE POSITIVE

It can be hard to see positives in a situation like this, but it may be helpful to consider how the changes we’re making due to the outbreak could have positive implications. For example, China banned wildlife trade nationwide in January due to the coronavirus outbreak. Positive change can come from difficult situations. >>>

Additionally, there has been a drop in air pollution levels across numerous countries, and the waters in Venice are the clearest they’ve been in 60 years, and wildlife is returning – including fish, swans, and even dolphins.

8. SEEK HELP

Whether you already have a condition like health anxiety or OCD that’s being triggered by the news, or you’re simply finding your mental health is being affected, know that support is still out there. A lot of counsellors offer online or telephone sessions – you can find more than 12,000 on our Happiful app.

If you’re worried about the financial implications of the ongoing situation, know that there are a lot of new policies in place to help, including mortgage holidays, protection for renters, furlough, statutory sick pay from day one, and many other initiatives. While this doesn’t completely solve the burden for many people, if you need more advice, please visit moneysavingexpert.com or citizensadvice.org.uk.

You may also want to look into support groups and helplines that can provide peer support. Or consider regular video catch-ups with your friends – some people are doing virtual pub quizzes together, and there’s even options to watch films or shows on Netflix in time with your mates. As well as people to talk to, sometimes a distraction or bit of normality is needed, too.

Know that you’re not alone in this, and it’s not ‘silly’ to be worried. You are well within your rights to get whatever support it is that you need.

PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHILE ISOLATING

In her article ‘Coronavirus anxiety, isolation, treatment – the emotional impact’, counsellor Karin Sieger includes the following recommendations:

• Ensure that you create a realistic and helpful daily routine, and stick to it.

• Have regular times for getting up and going to bed, as well as meal times.

• Have fresh air if you can open windows, or have a safe outdoor space.

• Do keep in touch with others digitally, and keep connected.

• Keep a journal.

• Set yourself tasks and goals.

• Look at the time you have as an opportunity to learn a new skill.