"Unprecedented" is a word we are all hearing repeatedly at the moment. How do we even start to take on board what coronavirus means? Globally, socially, personally.....on so many levels, so many things are in flux.
At the best of times, we don't like to feel out of control. We are very good at pushing to the back of our minds what we cannot control. We are conditioned and encouraged to focus on what we can control, what we can choose, the decisions we can make. Control and choice hasn't disappeared but its sphere of operation has reduced drastically. Some of us can't choose to go outside, or what to eat today, or even whether to eat today.
Anxiety means different things to different people - your anxiety is unique to your mind and body, to your context and experience - but a theme runs through it all: fear of what we can't control, fear of the unknown, the uncertain. And the Time of Coronavirus is certainly that.
What can you do?
Accept that it's OK to be anxious. It's appropriate right now.
Focus on what you can control. Creating a routine - however simple - can help
Create structure in your day to day life if you can - schedule Houseparty drinks and NetflixParty movie nights; exercise at the same time everyday; eat regularly. Don't use lockdown as an excuse to lose all discipline to your day
Now is not the time to set yourself 'projects'. Many people are talking about starting a new hobby, making a new life-plan, setting new goals. If this fills you with joy, then do it. But for many it simply creates pressure and expectations and the corresponding dip when we fail to achieve. And we are very likely to fail in the Time of Coronavirus if we are anxious.
Focus on social contact. Increase contact with close friends and family. Make sure you speak to someone at least once a day. Check in with loved ones when you wake up and when you go to sleep.
As far as you can, do what you enjoy - listen to music, read, craft, work, emulate your cat. It's OK right now.
Stay away from the news and switch your notifications off. Listen to a news bulletin once a day, max.
What's clear to us all right now is that the situation changes day by day - sometimes even hour by hour. Therapists often talk about using the little stuff to protect us from thinking about the big stuff. But if you're anxious, you might need to do this right now, and that's OK.
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