Where We’re At
With the government are publishing daily links giving information and updates on the coronavirus, and virtually nothing else being reported, it’s easy for this to become overwhelming.
As of 9am on 21st March, 72,818 people had been tested in the UK and 5,0180 were positive, with 233 deaths.
The UK government are now recommending social distancing in an attempt to suppress the disease, after London Imperial College research suggested that 250,000 could die in the UK with the previous strategy of mitigation.
Although not as extreme as the measures implemented in Italy, France and Spain, where people can be fined for leaving their homes unnecessarily, the UK has recommended not attending pubs, clubs or public gatherings and virtually all sport has ceased.
It’s easy to see that all this together could push some people over the edge, increasing anxiety and stress levels to breaking point.
How Can You Deal With This Incessant Bad News?
There are some things you can do to manage your feelings at this time.
- Manage Your Social Interactions Virtually: Keep in touch with people you need to via phone, Skype, Facetime or via social media. Try not to get into a spiral of following bad news, block people who are repeating misinformation or ‘fake news’ and turn off your phone’s news notifications. Talk to someone you trust who is balanced. Find quiet time when you need it, even if cooped up with family.
- Create Your Own Schedule: This means setting up a routine, even if you’re self isolating. Include all the things you should do and some free time too. Limit your news watching to say twice a day and decide in advice which sources you will look at say WHO ans NHS – avoid that spiral of depression.
- Stay Physically Active: As part of that schedule, put time aside at regular intervals for some exercise – in your own home and garden if necessary. See FitnessDrive for some ideas. Yoga is good for the mind and body – look on YouTube even if you’ve never done it before.
- Eat Well and Sleep Well: Cooking is a good distraction, so try and eat healthily (see FuelDrive). Wind down in plenty of time for bed, and don’t look at the news late on.
- Do Things You Enjoy: Distract yourself by catching up on the things you never have time to do – going for a walk (while you can!), reading, bingeing on a box set, or learning something new (see ChangeDrive for some ideas).
YouDrive thinks…
We don’t yet know what the next steps the UK government will take, but there are plenty of examples in European countries ahead of us in the cycle.
We think the steps outlined above are relevant to everyone, not just people suffering from anxiety or stress.
One last thought – try and be kind and help those less fortunate than yourself.
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