The role of behavioral health in the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis cannot be overstated. This is not a Chicken Little story – the sky is falling – it is more like the Goldilocks story, where we find the “just right” amount of fear. The right amount is healthy! Finding that right amount of fear is compounded by the news since the crisis became a world pandemic. Daily life is disrupted, and the United States is preparing for the Great Shutdown. This is not a political issue. It is a health issue. Following all the ways to maintain physical and mental health is each person’s priority. Infection of the mind often outpaces any infection in our bodies.
Here are my thoughts:
Social distancing vs. social connections. Perhaps this is the most challenging recommendation versus frequent handwashing and enhanced cleanliness. But it is the recommendation that may be one of the essential things that we can do. When live social activities are reduced, we can rely on our social media connections and the good old telephone to check on family and friends. We do not have to isolate to the extent it creates loneliness. Loneliness brought on by focusing on isolation is not good for the human mind. Humans seem to be usually at their best in a disaster by helping one another. The challenge here is to maintain interaction and assisting family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers during this acute crisis all the while keeping just enough distance to help each other remain infection free.
Common sense – Better sooner than too late. Yes, a case can be made that a lockdown is occurring too soon in necessary places. This includes sporting events, postponing large meetings, working from home, closing schools, and limiting church services. But, the health risks of waiting too long greatly surpass that of making such decisions too early. We can help contain the anxiety of this disruption by supporting the necessity of closing non-essential activities. We can do this!
Don’t sweat it – Hoarding stuff. You doubtlessly have heard this before, but the irony seems to be that small stuff, the stuff of daily life, has become big stuff along with the obvious big stuff of infection risk. How much toilet paper does someone need for two weeks? The health of all is more important than hoarding basics that all need and can be maintained during the crisis. There will be plenty of time to shop for essentials and make money again when health can return to being almost taken for granted. Let’s keep priorities straight.
Take it in stride. It seems that we all have to take it in stride and be flexible and agreeable as we adjust to a sudden life change. Now is not the time to be too critical of others and rigid in our thinking. Getting into a mode of responsiveness requires using relaxation techniques. Each person likely has their own ways to relax, whether that is music, watching the news (or not watching the news), sports (past games for while), and much more. Meditation is one proven technique. However, one of the simplest things is the essence of relaxation – take deep, slow breaths when fear seems to be spiraling out of control.
Be thankful and count your blessings. No, this is not Thanksgiving, but it is a time to count our blessings for what we usually take for granted. The crisis is an opportunity to make changes in what we prioritize in life, like spending time with loved ones. Make the most of it!