With the consistent concern about the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are experiencing anxiety as we cope with what the future holds, with no clear end in sight. With each day there is new information to process and how the pandemic has impacted those around us. We are consistently worried about our health and our loved ones. As we try to keep up it is important to pause and take a moment to effectively cope with the presence of COVID-19 and living through a pandemic. During these times information brings us a sense of safety and control, but too much information can be overwhelming and causing more fear than relieve it.
Tips to navigate with coping:
- Focus on things you can control- such as washing your hands, making the most informed decisions for you and your family.
- Access your resilence- keep in mind other difficult situations you have surpassed. Although this may be a more severe situation, it is important to keep in mind what you are capable of overcoming.
- Stick to a routine- keeping a routine can help to adjust to a new normal and make any adjustments with time. Be patient with yourself and those around you.
- Take a break from the news- after reading a post on Facebook or looking at an update, take time to reflect ow you feel. Does the constant news make you anxious or worried? Although, it is important to stay up to date, a constant change of misinformation can bring more anxiety.
- Reframe the event- reframing is a tool that is helpful in coping with stress. The perception that we create from the ever can turn it into a traumatic one or not. Your mindset, thoughts, and frame of reality will determine if you become traumatized by the environment. Instead of asking, "why is this happening to me?" ask yourself, "How can I grow from this event?"
There is no clear future on how the pandemic will unfold, but we are in control of how we manage ourselves throughout these events. If you ever feel like you need extra support don't hesitate to use any of the resources listed below:
- Crisis Text Line
- Text "HELLO" to 741741
- the text hotline is available 24/7 throughout the US. Servers anyone, any type of crisis by connecting them with a crisis counselor.
- National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
- UIC Crisis Resources
- During business hours (M-F, 8am-5pm), call the Counseling Center at 312-996-3490 or walk-in as soon as possible. You may be scheduled for a crisis consultation or seen by a counselor for an immediate assessment as needed.
- After business hours, call the Counseling Center at 312-996-3490 and press “2” to speak with the Counseling Center After-Hours Crisis Counselor. The counselor is there to listen and help create a plan to keep you safe.
Keep Safe!
