By Kimberly Harmon
With more cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the rise, many people want to know what to do and how to keep the virus from spreading. Social Distancing is one of the main ways. It means keeping about 6 feet away from others and avoiding gatherings spaces like schools, churches, and public transportation. Here is some insight by researchers from the American Psychological Association (APA) on how to cope.
It is normal to experience; fear and anxiety, depression and boredom, anger, irritability, frustration, or stigmatization. Anyone can get the virus, but the most vulnerable populations are; the elderly, people with pre-existing conditions, and health-care workers.
Researchers suggest planning ahead in the event you have to socially distance, yourself. Besides having household essentials, consider, who will you contact for emotional support and how will you spend your day.
If you must remain home, some ways to cope would include; limiting news to reliable sources like; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; www.cdc.gov, The Florida Department of Health; www.floridahealth.gov, or call the COVID-19 Call Center at: 866-779-6121. Create a daily routine, stay virtually connected through social media, video chat, phone calls, etc. Eat, sleep and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Stay positive to manage stress and anxiety. Meditate, keep a gratitude journal, practice relaxation exercises. (apps can be downloaded to your smartphone.) Free Breakfast and Lunches are being provided for children in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Visit: www.browardschools.com or www.dadeschools.net for more information, Parent Guides, and the latest updates.
With Social Distancing, we can limit the spread of the Coronavirus and protect our mental health. To learn more, visit the American Psychological Association at: www.apa.org.
Kimberly Harmon is a member of the American Psychological Association and Founder and CEO of Read2Achieve Inc