Coping with Stress During COVID-19
This unexpected virus has turned everyone’s world and sense of normal living upside down. In this crisis, everyone’s sense of security has been shaken and there still is much uncertainty in our immediate future. Given this situation, it is natural to experience anxiety and stress. For our consumers with developmental disabilities families, and staff, I know that these are extremely difficult circumstances where TARC is unable to provide the needed support and services that everyone depends upon and is accustomed to receiving. For our staff, being out of work and not being able to provide for our clients is a difficult situation. Below is a list of coping strategies that may be helpful in these difficult times.
1. Take breaks from watching TV, news and social media regarding the virus, because continued exposure will likely increase anxiety.
2. Try to maintain some sort of a schedule with waking, eating and sleeping to help with building a routine that can help with some level of normalcy.
3. Caretakers and individuals can make a stress management list of things a person can do when feeling negative feelings such as anxiety, frustration or sadness. Some examples include exercising, listening to music, dancing, exercise videos, engaging in a game or family activity, taking deep breaths, going outside and getting some fresh air, or watching a comedy or movie that may shift your feelings in a more positive direction.
4. On a daily basis make time for an activity that you enjoy.
5. Stay in touch with family and friends with phone calls or video chat.
6. To feel productive, do a project or tackle something that you have been putting off which will bring about a sense of accomplishment. Make a list of goals and check off the goals as you complete them.
7. Studies have shown that daily practices of prayer and/or meditations, yoga, breathing exercises also aid in releasing stress on the mind and body.
8. For caregivers and parents share some basic facts and information about the virus on a simple level that the person or child can understand.
9. Caregivers and parents can attempt to reassure and explain to the individual about safety and social distancing as methods to stay safe and healthy. Let them know that you have a plan to take care of them and hopefully this situation will be temporary. This is a good time to teach good hygiene skills such as thorough handwashing.
10. Caregivers and parents should allow the individual or child to express their feelings and thoughts, acknowledge their feelings and thoughts and don’t discount or not allow them to express their concerns.
11. Especially in times of a crisis or stressful situation, a child or a person with a developmental disability will model or react to a parent or caretaker’s emotional state. So if negative emotions such as anger, anxiety or stress are displayed, the child or person may feed off of the negative emotions.
12. Parents and caretakers may also notice that their child or loved one may regress or exhibit previous negative behaviors or emotions. This can be a typical response to significant stress. It is best for parents and caretakers to be patient with these changes, and punishment or negative consequences may increase the regression or problem behaviors. In this time of stress, positive attention, understanding and nurturing are the best approaches.
I hope that these tips help everyone cope in these difficult times. Take care and stay safe!!
Mark Toups, LPC
