Coping with the Current Pandemic

The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been a stressful reality for all of us. It is an unprecedented situation that has caused significant upheaval and disruption to nearly every aspect of our lives. We have had to generally remain at home, maintain social distancing, attend to recommended hygiene practices, and adjust to not having our normal social contacts and established routines. We are not able to be with family members and friends. We cannot attend Mass and be with our priests and our parish communities at this time. 

Many people have been unable to continue working at their jobs due to business or operational shutdowns with resultant loss of income and financial stress. Others have been more directly affected by the illness through being infected themselves or dealing with loved ones who have been infected or have died. In a sudden and wholly unanticipated manner we have been living a rather surreal experience these last few weeks. 

We have all experienced some degree of anxiety concerning the spread of the virus and the potential medical impact on ourselves and our loved ones, especially those who are considered to be most vulnerable. We may feel helpless and fearful in the face of ongoing concern and uncertainty about the projection of the virus. Although there are variables that are clearly outside of our immediate control, what we can control are our thoughts, decisions, actions, and how we take care of ourselves and others. 

Taking good care of ourselves and managing stress will help us to stay healthy and will help us to cope better if we or our loved ones become ill. Maintaining a daily routine of meaningful activities is suggested as well. With this in mind, there are some helpful coping methods that we can employ in dealing with the current situation.  

First of all it is important to stay calm and consult only reliable sources of information concerning COVID-19. Unfortunately, there is much misinformation that we can be exposed to, particularly on social media, which can cause unnecessary fear and panic. It is best to focus only on accurate information based on science and medicine (e.g. The Centers for Disease Control-CDC). Sharing the facts about COVID-19 and having a reasonable understanding of the actual risk to ourselves and to our loved ones enables us to be informed and to keep the situation in perspective.  

It is strongly advisable to take regular breaks from watching, reading, or listening to the news concerning the outbreak. It is useful and necessary to be aware of the latest state and federal mandates and directives associated with the health crisis, but over-exposure to the news and social media can be a source of unhealthy fear and anxiety. 

It is helpful to practice healthy self-care on a consistent basis. Taking good care of ourselves physically by getting good sleep, eating healthy, engaging in physical exercise (e. g. daily walks), and avoiding immoderate use of alcohol fortifies our immune system which works to reduce the risk of infection. 

Healthy self-care also means taking time for involvement in activities that we find enjoyable and life-giving. For example, listening to uplifting music, reading a good book, engaging in a preferred hobby, or watching a good comedy (yes, it is good to laugh when we can at this time) may be activities that you find enjoyable. Such engagement provides regular breaks from thinking about the present situation and can remind us of what we can do and that there’s more to life than the pandemic. 

Although we are restricted from visiting with and socializing with others, it is beneficial to stay regularly connected with family members and friends through phone calls, texting, FaceTime, Zoom, or other means of communication. Talk with those you can confide in about how you’re feeling and any concerns, fears, or anxieties about the current situation. 

It may be helpful to utilize a journal to write about what you are experiencing. If fears and anxieties are causing you distress, it may be advisable to consider seeking professional help for additional support at this time.  

This is a difficult time for all of us, but it is also an opportunity to take stock and to acknowledge what is most important in life. It is an especially opportune time to grow closer to God and to deepen our relationships with one another. 

There are several ways that we can strengthen our relationship with the Lord at this time; namely making time for daily prayer, reading of the scriptures during this Easter season, praying the Rosary, and virtual participation in the Mass with a spiritual communion. When we turn to Our Lord, he reminds us of his incredible love for us, that he is with us at every moment of our lives, and to “Be not afraid.”                           

Michael Hansen, Ph.D. 
Director of Human Formation
Diocese of Providence, RI