Coping with life when it throws you a curve ball like a world wide pandemic.

There are no right and wrong ways in coping with something so extremely strange in the world. Whatever your coping mechanism may be, go right ahead, just try to keep it as healthy and stable as possible.

Keeping up with your mental health is such an important aspect towards being able to think clearly and react to urgent needs of protecting yourself and family. Knowing there is a pandemic happening around you means you want to know everything you possibly can about the pandemic and the necessary actions needed to be taken. if you are someone who can hear and process the sensitive information about a topic and not let it take over your mind, go right ahead and do whatever research and news listening you would like. But if you are someone like myself, who can't handle hearing so much frightening information you should take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including any social media you take part of. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be truly upsetting. Remember it is completely normal to feel anxious and frightened while dealing with the effects of the pandemic, remember this situation is not only stressful for yourself but everyone else around you. Individuals living with mental illness and such may be finding it extra difficult to cope, you are not alone.

If you find yourself or someone you know struggling during this time, there are many different resources out there for you to rely on. Just type in anything along the lines of "in need of help during a pandemic, or mental health during these difficult times." A help resource should show up to guide you through. They are there to support you.

While in fact the commitment of following the rules set to do with social distancing truly helps slow the spread of Covid-19, it is no secret that while doing so can really put a negative impact on our mental health while in isolation. During this time if you are isolated with your family make sure you take advantage of having their company and try to find fun things you can all do together for entertainment and socialization, yet also give yourselves small breaks of independence in order to keep away negative energy which could be caused by being around each other for too many hours at a time. If you are someone who is stuck isolated by yourself here are some things you can do to distract your mind and keep your mental health as good as possible.

• Keep busy

~ Finding things to do around the house, get artsy and maybe paint or get some colouring books, along with reading.

• Background sound

~ Having some sound for your brain to process can be good for you as well. That could be music which could help get you to get up and dance or could be some tv for some good laughs or a good cry. Either is good for yourself.

• Keeping as social as possible

~That might sound crazy because your by yourself but take advantage of the fact that we have facetime, phone calls, also text.

• Self care

~This is a big one, I find it the most important as well. Preparing healthy meals, staying as active as possible(you can look up workouts online), trying out meditation or yoga, staying clean and fresh, drinking water and staying hydrated.

• Be prepared and get sorted

~If you are quarantined plan out how you will get groceries, maybe your family can pick them up and drop them off or you can use delivery services. If you need medications contact your pharmacist and come up with a plan, there is always solution so try to stay calm.

All people cope in different ways but some people like to do so with alcohol and maybe something along the lines of smoking weed. Both are okay yes, but only are they okay if you can control the intake and can do so while keeping it a safe level of fun. Do not let it consume you and keep aware of the fact that addiction is easily a factor you need to consider. Now more than ever is when you need to emotionally support each other while following the distancing measures recommended by the health officials. If you experience a mental health crisis or know of someone going through one, please take them time to contact 911 or a mental health crisis line. You could save a life.

So please; Stay Safe, Stay Calm, Do What You Need To Help Yourself.

You Are Not Alone.

~Sydiej