We are at a time of great pandemic risk. We think we need to respond to this accordingly, but do we? I am not sure anymore, the efforts of the Government does not seem to be enough if we are to look at the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. Mental health is also at a decline. We think it’s going to be over soon, well, maybe not.
But we are resilient people – we get up when we fall; we smile after we mourn. We know we will all come out stronger when this pandemic ends. We hope.
Keeping Sane Amidst COVID19
I am a solo parent to a 3-year-old; I work from home and have to juggle many roles day-to-day. I also work part-time as a college instructor. Aside from my family and friends, my students would always come to me when they feel stressed or anxious over life in general. Now, with all that is happening during this pandemic, I get bombarded with messages asking for advice. I used to be a school counselor, so you get the idea of why people come to me. I listened, I offered my time. But it was so hard to keep my self sane during this time.
So one day, I lost it. I got tired, scared, and anxious myself. I feel threatened by the growing number of COVID-19 cases around our vicinity and elsewhere. The news was just plain terrifying. I had to shut off, I zoned out. I stopped checking messages and had to deal with my own emotions first so that I can be there for others again.
I got so afraid that I’d get it or my son would be sick, I was scared to the point of paranoia. My fears turned to anxiety and frustration. I could not sleep at night, I would be angry at people, and I would cry when my baby's asleep.
During a crisis like this, we need to be able to stay calm and collected, because we want to become part of the solution instead of the problem. We need to keep our sanity in check so that we will be able to act accordingly during uncertain times.
We all have very valid reasons to feel anxious during a pandemic, but to keep calm, we
should always remember to pause, pray, and reflect. So I did.
How I Got Through My Situation
I was feeling overly stressed and overwhelmed. I was consumed with fear and anxiety. I was sad and impatient, and I was so fearful of the future. I was scared for me, my family, and my little boy. I was getting angry at the news, at people, I can’t seem to find good with the Government’s efforts. I was screaming at my child – I was not the person I used to be.
I knew I had to help myself to be able to bounce back and be able to take care of my son, and the people I love, so I did what I could to stay calm. Read on as l share with you the things I did to stay calm during this pandemic.
Things I Did To Help Me Keep Calm During The Pandemic
Things may be uncertain, and we feel out of control, but the best way to fight this off is to focus on what we CAN control. Why trouble ourselves about the things beyond our control, we are only adding to our anxiety when we try to mind everything. Here’s what I did instead to look out for myself.
1. I took all precautions to not acquire the virus, and I followed the quarantine protocols in my area.
Our first line of defense against viruses is health and hygiene. It is essential to practice healthy habits and good hygiene to lessen our worries during the pandemic. Following community quarantine protocols is also something that I did. Knowing that I was doing all that I can to stay safe helped me calmed myself at this uncertain time.
2. I kept myself abreast of what the virus was about and what was going on around me.
I knew I needed to be in the know, but I also tried to avoid stories that are too depressing, as well as fake news online. I only made good use of relevant information about the pandemic to keep myself informed and protected. I urge everyone to please do not participate in sharing fake news because they only cause fear and unnecessary stress to everyone.
3. I acknowledged my emotions and asked for help
I was scared too, I am terrified until now. I have a little boy I have to protect, and that makes it scarier for me. I connected with people whom I can share all my fears about, and I continuously ask for help when needed.
It is ok to acknowledge when there are things we cannot handle anymore, so share your burden to the people who love and understand you to just lighten off that load.
4. I Contributed to the Community
We all need to heal as one, we all need to come out stronger when this pandemic ends. Help where and when you can.
Lessons I Have Learned About Life During The Pandemic
There are so many, but here are a few of the highlights of my many realizations:
Family is Everything
I learned that tomorrow is never promised, and that we should cherish our families more than anything else. The pandemic has left so many families grieving for their loved ones who suffered and died of the disease. If you are fortunate enough to still be with your families, don’t forget to treasure them and make them feel loved and important.
If you have reached to this part of my blog post, pause for a while, and reach for your loved one. Tell them that you love them and that you care for them.
Be Kind
One of my favorite singers, Jewel, sung, “in the end, only kindness matters.” I think kindness during this time, and every day, will indeed go a long way. You do not need to have lots of money to be kind. You can give a single bread to a hungry person if that is all that you can afford, go do it. Offer your listening ears; be a friend; do random acts of kindness.
I am now able to share sound advice to my family, friends, and students again. I just needed to ensure that my own mental health is taken care of.
With all that is happening around the globe, being kind, even if it goes unnoticed, will be remembered by those whom you have blessed it with.
Be Grateful Of The Little Things
You are reading this because you are alive. Gratitude is always good for us! Gratefulness helps us focus on positive emotions, and also makes us become calmer persons. You won’t need to lift a finger or exert a muscle to be thankful.
Say a prayer of thanks today and always.
Hope For Us All
At this most uncertain time, my love for my family, especially my son, is what's keeping me to move forward. I am hopeful that the virus will play out soon. I hope that we will never have to deal with another pandemic in this lifetime again, but while this one is still in our midst, let’s all remember that this, too, shall pass.
This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project”. The initiative is a response to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. Igniting and championing the human spirit, “Write to Ignite Blog Project” aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. This project is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, co-presented by Eastern Communications and sponsored by Electrolux, Jobstreet, and Teleperformance.
