Mental health and COVID-19.

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1705 posts

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#2447519 26-Mar-2020 19:46

Main thing that is stressing me out is having to teach/entertain my own two little ones while maintaining my own work online (teaching)

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frednz

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#2447534 26-Mar-2020 20:13

Congratulations on starting this thread, I think it's an excellent idea to have a thread where people can discuss their feelings and post some positive views about how to get through all this.

I like the idea of limiting the amount of time per day spent on listening to, and reading the news, but I also realise that the better informed you are, the more likely you are to avoid some of the less obvious pitfalls.

Physical exercise has always been an important part of my relief from stressful situations and also talking often to friends and family and reassuring them that we will all get through this if we stay together.

I went out on a short walk today, avoiding any close contact with a lot of people who were also walking around the streets where I live. But, what I did notice was that, everybody I saw on the other side of the street waved out to me and wished me all the best. I've never experienced that before and it shows that although we are all in lockdown, this doesn't mean that we need to lose contact with people.

Keep up the good work and I hope this thread keeps going and is even observed by policy makers in Government.

neb

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#2447535 26-Mar-2020 20:22

blackjack17:
Main thing that is stressing me out is having to teach/entertain my own two little ones while maintaining my own work online (teaching)

That's good stress. That's fine, you know what the stressors are and can respond to them. General anxiety over Covid19 is bad stress, the stressor isn't something you can directly respond to.

If you want to try a relaxation technique that doesn't require autosuggestion, look up "progressive relaxation". It's a physical relaxation technique that works even when you're resistant to autosuggestion. Find a recording of someone talking you through it, don't just rely on reading about it because that typically doesn't work.

Disclaimer: Mrs.Neb is the psychologist, not me. We also disagree over lots of things :-).

Handle9

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#2447539 26-Mar-2020 20:26

blackjack17:
Main thing that is stressing me out is having to teach/entertain my own two little ones while maintaining my own work online (teaching)

We are on day five of distance learning / teaching. Mrs Handle is a teacher and we have a 5 year old and an 8 year old who is also dyslexic. It's hard work to try and find the time to fit everything and Mrs Handle will burn out if she doesn't back off a bit.

Teachers particularly seem to struggle with the concept of "I don't get everything done I just go home".

When work is home that makes it even tougher. I'm working on her managing her workload but that takes time.

Technofreak

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#2447549 26-Mar-2020 20:54

MikeB4:

Anyone that is feeling anxious, depressed overwhelmed should not read the other Covid-19 thread on this site. It is filling with gloom and doom posts from some folks that seem to be revelling in it. We all know this is serious the future is bleak it doesn't need to be repeated ad nauseam.

Amen to that brother. Some on there seem to have no sensitivity what so ever to anyone that may be health compromised WRT Covid 19. Some of the stuff on there reminded me of the Chicken Licken story.

A positive attitude is what is needed, glass half stuff. Get out in the fresh air and get some Vitamin E, a bit of fresh air and sunshine does wonders for the mind.

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tanivula

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#2447584 26-Mar-2020 21:56

My significant other is a counsellor at a university. This is a very complex situation which will affect everyone in different ways. She wanted to remind the importance of talking to someone, whether it's a friends/family or to a professional.

Her advice:

Many counsellors are offering phone and video consultations in the absence of face to face support. You may be eligible for support through your workplace (EAP services, EAP works, Benestar, Vitae are some of the main providers) for yourself and sometimes family members as well - if you are eligible, these are funded so no cost to you.

For now - if possible connect with people through safe channels, get some fresh air and exercise, put some good music on and be kind to yourself and others.

Reach out for extra support - it is there.

neb

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#2447597 26-Mar-2020 22:16

For people feeling stress about negative coverage, try watching videos by the Governor of Kentucky, who is providing Covid19 information in an amazingly positive and supportive manner. Try this daily update as a starter.

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kingdragonfly

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#2447650 27-Mar-2020 07:37

50 things to do during self quarantine

BORED AT HOME

alasta

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#2447658 27-Mar-2020 08:10

I have also decided to stop reading commentary on social media, including the other thread on Geekzone. There seems to be a real lack of empathy towards those living alone, in domestic violence situations, with existing health conditions, etc.

Everyone's situation is unique, and we are all going to be affected in different ways. My strategy is to just keep it simple - follow the rules, only take advice from official channels, and take advantage of technology to keep in touch with others. I am also trying to treat this as an opportunity to do things like clean the house and learn to use Skype properly!

Handsomedan

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#2447667 27-Mar-2020 08:24

I've just started to feel anxious in the same way that I did after being unemployed at 45 y/o a few years back.

It's a creeping feeling that starts in the gut and just makes me feel generally tense. My normally sunny disposition evaporates and I become short and irritable.

Part of it is working full time for an international company where my peers are mostly in AU and not yet experiencing the same restrictive conditions that we are here. There's a sense that they just don't get it.

There's also having the wife and kids home, while I try to "work as normal" in the front room of a small house and they try to "live as normal" in the rest of the house.

It's only been a week of this and already I am feeling like I am not sure how I'll get through the next 3.5 weeks (assuming all goes to plan). I did get out yesterday for a spin around the block on my eScooter with my son riding his bike, but with the constant stream of vitriol being spouted online about how people should stay in and not venture out for anything non-essential, I spent the whole time feeling like I was breaking the law and doing something horrifically wrong.

We encountered nobody else (a few joggers keeping their distance and a few cars here and there) but I still felt like we were being judged. That added to my anxiety instead of relieving it.

I've blocked a number of "friends" on social media as they are spouting judgmental and uneducated nonsense constantly about seeing people walking/running etc outside...what you can and can't do (despite clear instructions on the COVID-19 website...bringing with them a chorus of like-minded people. Blocking them helped a bit.

Having this place to come and vent will help.

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MikeB4

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#2447772 27-Mar-2020 10:43

Handsomedan:

I've just started to feel anxious in the same way that I did after being unemployed at 45 y/o a few years back.

It's a creeping feeling that starts in the gut and just makes me feel generally tense. My normally sunny disposition evaporates and I become short and irritable.

Part of it is working full time for an international company where my peers are mostly in AU and not yet experiencing the same restrictive conditions that we are here. There's a sense that they just don't get it.

There's also having the wife and kids home, while I try to "work as normal" in the front room of a small house and they try to "live as normal" in the rest of the house.

It's only been a week of this and already I am feeling like I am not sure how I'll get through the next 3.5 weeks (assuming all goes to plan). I did get out yesterday for a spin around the block on my eScooter with my son riding his bike, but with the constant stream of vitriol being spouted online about how people should stay in and not venture out for anything non-essential, I spent the whole time feeling like I was breaking the law and doing something horrifically wrong.

We encountered nobody else (a few joggers keeping their distance and a few cars here and there) but I still felt like we were being judged. That added to my anxiety instead of relieving it.

I've blocked a number of "friends" on social media as they are spouting judgmental and uneducated nonsense constantly about seeing people walking/running etc outside...what you can and can't do (despite clear instructions on the COVID-19 website...bringing with them a chorus of like-minded people. Blocking them helped a bit.

Having this place to come and vent will help.

Stay well, stay safe. Nothing wrong with venting.

Technofreak

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#2447864 27-Mar-2020 11:55

Handsomedan:

I've just started to feel anxious in the same way that I did after being unemployed at 45 y/o a few years back.

It's a creeping feeling that starts in the gut and just makes me feel generally tense. My normally sunny disposition evaporates and I become short and irritable.

Part of it is working full time for an international company where my peers are mostly in AU and not yet experiencing the same restrictive conditions that we are here. There's a sense that they just don't get it.

There's also having the wife and kids home, while I try to "work as normal" in the front room of a small house and they try to "live as normal" in the rest of the house.

It's only been a week of this and already I am feeling like I am not sure how I'll get through the next 3.5 weeks (assuming all goes to plan). I did get out yesterday for a spin around the block on my eScooter with my son riding his bike, but with the constant stream of vitriol being spouted online about how people should stay in and not venture out for anything non-essential, I spent the whole time feeling like I was breaking the law and doing something horrifically wrong.

We encountered nobody else (a few joggers keeping their distance and a few cars here and there) but I still felt like we were being judged. That added to my anxiety instead of relieving it.

I've blocked a number of "friends" on social media as they are spouting judgmental and uneducated nonsense constantly about seeing people walking/running etc outside...what you can and can't do (despite clear instructions on the COVID-19 website...bringing with them a chorus of like-minded people. Blocking them helped a bit.

Having this place to come and vent will help.

One thing I've learned is a significant proportion of the population have comprehension problems, and do not properly understand what they can and cannot do..

Your interpretation of what you can do so far as getting out and exercising is correct. You have no reason to feel like you were doing anything wrong nor should you feel as if you are being judged. Keep on doing it in the knowledge you have the correct interpretation of what is allowed.

Don't let what you think other people may or may not be thinking affect your thoughts and what you are doing. Remember the mind is a very powerful thing and I suspect you are assuming the worst about what people may be thinking. Think about good stuff and keep on doing what you have been doing.

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dafman

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#2447910 27-Mar-2020 12:40

A couple of suggestions.

1. Delete Facebook. Seriously, get rid of it, you don't have to tolerate nonsense coming through your news feed at this time. Keep messenger so you can direct message your Facebook friends.

2. Listen to a short 1 minute 15 seconds of Tom Hanks in this Youtube - start at 12:30 in the interview:

maoriboy

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#2448055 27-Mar-2020 14:25

I certainly can't say I've stressed too much about the whole thing. With both my wife and I in stable jobs that will be unaffected (at least directly) by this, the financial side of things is no worry. We are both fit and healthy, are taking all possible precautions and are pretty set in terms of food. I've my home brew up and running so beer is not a problem and a plentiful liquor cabinet. Have a weights bench in the man cave, pool table and darts board, heaps of books and my kids to keep me occupied. I can also run up and down my street so my main outlet for stress is unaffected. All in all I'm set.

Technofreak

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#2448069 27-Mar-2020 14:38

maoriboy:

I certainly can't say I've stressed too much about the whole thing. With both my wife and I in stable jobs that will be unaffected (at least directly) by this, the financial side of things is no worry. We are both fit and healthy, are taking all possible precautions and are pretty set in terms of food. I've my home brew up and running so beer is not a problem and a plentiful liquor cabinet. Have a weights bench in the man cave, pool table and darts board, heaps of books and my kids to keep me occupied. I can also run up and down my street so my main outlet for stress is unaffected. All in all I'm set.

That's really good to hear, you are one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately for many your situation isn't their norm.

I don't consider our situation to be all that bad at the moment but the long term effects will almost certainly affect how much I earn once this is all over. That is a concern for my retirement which isn't too many years away. There are very few who can, hand on heart, say this Covid 19 event will not have an impact on their job/lifestyle/standard of living now or in the medium to long term future.

The comforting thing from that statement is that we are all in this together and hopefully can help each other where and when necessary, even if it is only a kind, helpful and hopefully inspirational word.

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