Alright 2020, if I’m being honest, you haven’t been my favorite year so far. The entire world is in a state of panic and we’re right in the middle of a global pandemic. With information coming from all angles, It’s hard to get the facts straight and separate accurate from just plain wrong. Dealing with something that you’ve never had to deal with before can bring up all kinds of emotions, like fear, stress, & overwhelm. So how do we move forward, and what can we do to protect ourselves and everyone around us? Unsure of how to deal with COVID-19? Here are the seven best things you can do right now to help in the fight.
1. Don’t operate from fear
During this time, it’s important to only listen to credible news sources like The World Health Organization (WHO) and The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s very possible that many other outlets may not be reporting the most accurate and current information. Consider the source. I know a lot of us get our information from social media, and while many accounts are designed to inform, they are also in a position to incite fear and panic, which we don’t need more of right now.
2. Don’t hoard supplies
Take only what you need and leave some for everyone else. This includes food items, but also items like toilet paper, paper towel, etc. I went to two stores a few days ago, and one was completely out of all paper products – toilet paper, tissue, napkins, paper towels – it blew my mind!! First of all, how messy do you plan on being in the next week or so? Normally, I buy an 8-pack of paper towels and it lasts my family of four well over a month. Don’t start panicking and making silly decisions.
3. Switch to reusable products
Adding onto the paper product shortage, a great alternative is to swap these out for reusable items. A great one is bamboo paper towels. They can be used just as you would standard paper towel, but are much more durable, can be re-used quite a few times, and can even be washed. Another alternative could be using cloth towels and cloth napkins at home for a bit. If you have access to a washer & dryer inside your home, why not use that to your advantage?
4. Check on people in your life that may need extra help
Elderly people, new mothers, friends or family that may be sick – all of these people are more susceptible to getting sick and should be checked on. Reach out to see how you can help. If you’re healthy and able to go shopping for them, or can help in some other way, do it. Another critical thing is to make sure the people in your life that require prescription medicine have refills for the next 90 days, if possible.
5. Self-quarantine or practice social distancing
The less interaction you have with others, the less likely the virus will be passed on. It’s just a fact. If you have the ability to stay home, please do so. Avoid going out in public as much as possible. If you do have to go out, try and go to smaller stores, or at a time when there aren’t large crowds to lessen your potential for interaction. When you go out, make sure to wash your hands before you go, and as soon as you get back.
6. Leave the medical supplies to the medical professionals
I know it’s tempting to load up on protective gear, but for the love of God and all that is Holy (as my mom always says) leave things like face masks, gloves, etc to the health care professionals that will inevitably need them to take care of infected patients. If these people don’t have what they need to protect themselves, they have a higher chance of getting sick, and then who will be available to take care of patients that rely on them to survive?
7. Check in with yourself
This is most definitely a stressful time. Everyone is in panic mode. In this case, the best thing you can do is take a few minutes to take some deep breaths, focus on what is important, and let go of everything else. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and unsure during this time, my friend Jen is an amazing life coach (and all-around awesome person) and she’s offering complimentary 20 minutes coaching sessions this week. Anyone that is looking for a mindset boost, a little clarity, or some direction, she’s happy to shed some light and help guide you. She has spots available every 30 minutes from 2pm-7pm on Wednesday & Thursday. If you’re interested in booking some time with her, you can visit her Calendly link and see the available time slots.
It’s all in how you look at it
With all of the negative going around, try and focus on the positives. Of course this is a serious time, and one for concern, but it can also be a time to re-charge. Soak up the extra time with your spouse & kids, and connect with family and friends through Facetime or on the phone. Try and feed your brain and your soul some good vibes by checking out accounts like @good, @upworthy, & @tanksgoodnews on social media. They’re sharing stories of awesome people doing awesome things, and it will give you hope that this is just another struggle we need to overcome.
One very important thing to remember in all of this is that it is temporary. The time frame of temporary is unknown at this point, but the more we do to help the situation, the shorter temporary becomes. The only way we’re going to do that is together. Remember to wash your hands and drink plenty of water, take your vitamins, and double up on the vitamin C, elderberry, and anything else that may boost your immune system. Take care of yourself and each other. Stay safe and spread the love, from a safe distance, of course.
