Hello,
Since my last post the world has continued to spiral further and further from the control that we once knew and loved. Unfortunately 2020 has brought an incredible amount of anxiety, fear and illness. It’s now shut down all schools and daycares across Alberta and across the world indefinitely. Businesses are shutting down, people are working from home and the biggest message is to “isolate”.
The only way to stop the spread of coronavirus is to take every precaution and to stop spreading any possible germs amongst us. This means social isolation. Social isolation is key to slowing down coronavirus but as a psychology person, our mental health is going to plummet. One of the best things we can do for our mental health is to get out and see friends and family, to go out for coffee and to go to the gym. All of these options have been taken away and we are left with social isolation. Stress has been raised to new levels in the last week, it feels like all the news on the media is negative and already there has been an increase in depression and anxiety.
Self care is a huge part of our daily life and it’s a term that’s thrown around on social media flippantly. For the last few years I’ve had a negative connotation to the term, it seems silly and a bit ridiculous. I’m all for self care but the way that our society has approached it is almost humorous. But in a time like this, self-care and self evaluation is essential. I’ve provided some tips of things that are helpful when you’re having a hard day in isolation.
~Coursera is a great website to learn new skills and provides free online courses
~ Fostering a dog while you’re working from home for the next time being could be an amazing opportunity both to provide a dog a loving home, and provide you some companionship
~Try out a new skill – writing, drawing, baking or yoga. Youtube is a wonderful place to learn new skills.
~Find new music
~Skype or phone a friend
~Write letters to your loved ones
~Have a stay at home date, build a fort, watch movies, bake something and stay in your pajamas
~Get outside when possible, the sunshine and outdoors can do amazing things for your mental health.
~Acknowledge what you’re feeling and realize it’s okay to feel a bit uncertain and afraid during this time.
Lessons From the Shelter 