Monica Younan B.A., Psychology Intern
May 15th, 2020
We are living in times of uncertainty, constantly wondering when things will go back to how they used to be. Currently, nobody has the answers we are looking for. This sense of uncertainty is likely to cause feelings of stress, anxiety and possibly depression. However, it is important to remember that while we may not have control over when life will resume to how it used to be, we do nevertheless have control over how we spend our days during confinement. Here are some tips to help you better cope during these times:
- Set a fixed sleeping schedule: for those who are currently not working, you may find it easy to slip into unhealthy sleeping patterns. In other words, you may find that your sleeping schedule has been disrupted, where you go to bed at late hours and wake up at later times in the morning. While this may be fun in the beginning, it will only leave you feeling tired throughout the rest of the day, allowing little chance for you to be productive and efficient. It is therefore highly recommended to set a fixed sleeping schedule, where one may try to go to bed and wake up at around the same time every day, at a reasonable hour.
- Set a schedule for your day: whether you are working from home or not, you may want to set a schedule for yourself. This could be as simple as setting a fixed time for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a dedicated time for work and leisure. A sense of structure in our days can go a long way in alleviating some of the anxiety we may be feeling during those times.
- Engage in self-love and self-care: being confined is the perfect opportunity to engage in acts of self-love. It may be easy to neglect your personal needs when you are busy with school and work responsibilities. Therefore, you are encouraged to take this time and care for yourself, as self-love and self-care are essential factors for maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself, improving mood and reducing anxiety.
- Start a new hobby: take this opportunity to engage in activities and take up new hobbies that you felt were too time consuming before. A hobby can help you cope with stress and leave you with a sense of happiness and fulfilment. Now is the perfect time to read that book you have always wanted to start, watch that show that you’ve been interested in, practice your art crafting skills or master your cooking skills. Other hobbies can include but are not limited to: yoga, knitting, dancing etc.
- Spend quality time with your family: being confined allows you the opportunity to spend quality and valuable time with your family members; time that you otherwise would not have had if you were busy with work and school. Take this opportunity to be creative and engage in activities together. You may come out of this feeling closer and more connected than you ever were.
- Stay connected using technology: if you are living alone and are struggling with feelings of isolation and loneliness, you may want to consider staying in touch with friends and family through the world of technology. Currently, platforms such as Zoom and Facetime have been quite successful at keeping people connected no matter where they are geographically located. Be creative and plan a virtual lunch date for instance.
This can be a difficult time, but we will all get through it as a community. We can choose to stress over what we have no control over, or rather choose to make the best out of this situation. A positive mindset will always go a long way. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are still struggling to cope with the stresses of confinement.
Tel: 514-542-6888
Email: info@psysante.com
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