How Can You Cope During a Pandemic?
The pandemic posed unprecedented challenges. Many of us have lost our jobs, taken care of parenting responsibilities and joined in social isolation. Experts warn of an approaching wave of mental illness as a result.
Research indicates that they are more accurate. Surveys in Australia, the UK and the USA point to depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation rates much higher than in recent years.
But over time, people have changed the way they respond to the COVID-19 threat. Google search shifts from pandemic damage to ways of dealing with it, such as exercising and learning new skills.
This pivot points to a new focus on coping with COVID-19.
There are many ways to cope
Coping with the process of responding effectively to problems and challenges. To cope properly is to respond to the threat in ways that minimize its harmful effects.
Coping can involve many different techniques and you probably have your own preferences. These techniques can be classified in many ways, but one major difference is between problem-focused and emotional-focused strategies.
Whats the difference?
Dealing with a problem-focused problem involves active interaction with the outside world. This could mean making action plans, finding more information about a threat, or dealing with an opponent.
Focusing on the emotionally focused, in contrast, is directed internally, trying to change how we respond emotionally to stressful events and conditions, rather than changing them to the source.
Effective emotion-focused techniques include meditation, humor and re-facing difficulties to find benefits.
Less effective emotionally focused strategies include finding distractions, rejection and substance use. Although these tactics can relieve anxiety in the short term, they do not address its causes or prevent longer term effects.
Drinking to avoid anxiety is an example of an emotionally based approach to coping. (how I deal well during the pandemic) Drinking to avoid anxiety is an example of an emotionally based approach. But this method of coping will not work in the long run.
Which is the best?
Either of these approaches is intensively larger or lower than the others. Both can be effective for different types of challenges.
It is said that problem-focused strategies will work best if we can control the problem.
However, when we are faced with an unshakable challenge, it may be better to adjust our response to it using emotionally focused techniques, rather than fighting fruitlessly against it.
Coping strategies during the pandemic
Physical activity and experiencing nature can offer some protection from depression during the pandemic. A study even points to the benefits of birdwatching.
But there is more evidence around coping strategies to avoid. Rising levels of drug use during the pandemic are associated with greater anxiety.
The amount of snack eating and access to excess Media associated with COVID has also been linked to higher levels of stress and depression. So they should be consumed in moderation.
Exercise can be a great way to cope with the stress associated with the pandemic. (how do I deal properly during the pandemic) Exercise can be a great strategy to cope with the stress associated with the pandemic.
How do I know if I'm not good at it?
We must evaluate how well we are dealing with the pandemic by judging how we are compared to what we used to be.
Think of yourself at this time last year. Are you drinking more, sleeping soundly or experiencing fewer positive emotions and more negative emotions now?
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes", then compare it to your former normal, your approach may not be as good as it could be. But before you judge your coping critically, it is worth considering a few things.
Your coping is related to your challenge
Pandemic can be shared, but its effects are uneven.
Whether you live alone, a caregiver or have lost your job, the pandemic has become a bigger threat to you than many others. If you suffer more anxiety than others, or more than you did last year, it does not mean you are less able - you can have more to cope with.
Negative emotions may be appropriate
To experience some anxiety in the face of a threat like COVID-19 is fair. Experiencing loneliness in isolation from loved ones under lockdown is also inevitable. Suffering does not mean the wrong arrangement.
In fact, unpleasant feelings focus on our problems and motivate us to deal with them, rather than simply being a sign of weakness or helplessness.
We must, of course, be vigilant about serious problems, such as the thought of hurting ourselves, but we must also avoid pathologizing ordinary anxiety. Not all anxiety is a symptom of a mental health problem.
The feeling of anxiety during the pandemic is to be expected and it can really motivate us to face adversity. (how I deal well during the pandemic) The feeling of anxiety during the pandemic is to be expected and it can really motivate us to face adversity. But beware of serious problems.
Coping is not just about emotion anyway
Coping is not all about how we feel. It is also about acting and finding a sense of meaning and purpose in life, despite our anxiety. Perhaps if we maintain our relationships and do our jobs well during the pandemic, we can cope well enough, even if sometimes we become miserable.
Coping with COVID-19 has become an unequal competition
Social distances and lockdowns have left us with a reduced repertoire in coping. Finding emotional and practical support from others, also known as "social coping", is made more difficult by pandemic restrictions. Without our standard supports, many of us will have to cope with one arm tied at the back.
So remember to cut yourself a slack. For most people, the pandemic has become a unique challenge. When judging how well we cope we should practice self-love. Let us not despise things by criticizing ourselves for failing to cope better.
note: this article will definitely help us during this pandemic.