Many states now have issued Shelter in Place, Stay at Home Orders as ways of preventing the spread of the Coronavirus.  We are being required to spend as much time in our homes as possible and to limit contact with others outside our living quarters.

The reality of being cooped up for days is intense.  Feelings of depression, anxiety and total hopelessness can kick in at any moment.  Let’s take some time to talk about how we can prevent and/or minimize these states of being.

It is important to have a daily routine.  You can create a structure for yourself.  My routine is:  Get out of bed by 8AM; Put on my running clothes; Run five miles listening to a playlist designed to push physically and emotionally;  Work with my psychotherapy clients via video conferencing;  Play guitar; Play Afro-Cuban Percussion; Write blogs and a new mystery novel; Take local walks with my wife; Watch new streaming shows recommended by friends;  Read books and the news.

Speaking of the news, it could be easy to punch the remote and binge watch cable news shows, but it would be bad for your mental health.  So much of the news is pure speculation with each channel’s political slant.  So, my advice is to limit news watching to thirty minutes per day.

You can choose to get caught up in the dismal mentality or see this as a time of opportunity.  Working on a project that has been put off for years could happen.  Maybe there is a book that you have always wanted to write, but never had the time.  You have time now.  Perhaps creating an online class that may be interesting, fun and a new income stream could be produced.  You may have worked seventy hours a week for years.  Instead of working, you could rest, take naps in the afternoon and slow life down.  You could learn how to juggle, yo-yo or hula hoop.

Exercising every day is essential right now.  Taking walks in your neighborhood and appreciating nature will lift your spirits.   You can also exercise at home, but make sure you get outdoors at least sixty minutes per day.

Listening to music can increase your sense of well being. There may be songs that you have been wanting to listen to for years, but never had the time.  Well, now you do.

You may have been interested in singing since you were a teenager.  There are singing classes online!

Now is the time to pick up that instrument you always wanted to play.   Perhaps you have been interested in playing piano.  Now is the time to explore that fascination!

It is conceivable to peruse hobbies or interests that you imagined would be fulfilling.  Painting, photography, writing graphic novels are a few that come to mind.

Taking on long avoided projects like cleaning out cabinets or the back patio will take time and give you more space.

Staying in touch with loved ones and friends in this time of physical(social) distancing requirements can be overwhelming.  The latest news is that we should try to be in contact with as few people as possible to stem the spread of the disease.  This can lead to social isolation which will exacerbate anxiety and depression symptoms.

Stay in touch with friends and family via video conferencing programs which include, but not limited to FaceTime, Zoom, and Google Duo. You can also text and do it the old fashioned way; telephone calls.

It is critical that we all try to stay positive.  Focusing on the negative will sink our moods, lower our productivity and diminish creativity.  Staying positive while hearing voices of doom and gloom may be our biggest challenge.

We must continue to remind ourselves to stay positive.  This will not come natural to many of us, but the reward may be greater than you ever imagined.

Future blogs:

How to Help your Children during the Covid-19 era

Dealing with your Elected Officials about The Coronavirus