Social Distancing & Stress During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In my March 17 piece, Coping with Coronavirus in California, I acknowledged that much of what I wrote would quickly become outdated due to how quickly things were evolving and escalating in relation to the pandemic. Change is proving to be the only constant, especially in these trying times. I decided to write a follow-up based on what has transpired since and the need to prioritize mental health during the pandemic.

With more states and countries issuing shelter in place and lockdown orders, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are reaching more and more people. A recent Pew Research study found that 9 out of 10 Americans (91%) said that their lives had been impacted in at least a small way by the pandemic, while 44% said it had impacted them in a major way.

COVID-19 effects have been spilling over to nearly every aspect of society, including health and safety issues ranging from accident avoidance to touch deprivation to WFH productivity.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed, meaning that paid sick leave is mandated on a federal level through the end of 2020. The provisions of this emergency act are more generous than any state’s existing paid sick leave laws and also include additional paid leave for family-related care needs.

And, tragically, tens of thousands more lives have been lost in the last two weeks.

We also have more information about how to fight the virus, although much is still unknown, and officials are far from agreement on the best course of action. For the general public, continuing to follow the CDC guidelines, including washing hands, practicing social distancing, and staying home as much as possible, are still our best defenses.

While we continue adjusting to the “new normal” (though as someone who used to go out and socialize every night of the week, I hope this never truly becomes normal!) there’s no question that mental health may be impacted by all these measures, even if an individual’s physical health stays intact.

However directly the pandemic is affecting you, there are things you can do to mitigate the effects of the stress. The Internet is full of excellent ideas; here are a few of my favorites:

Focus on What You Can Control

Anxiety often stems from a feeling of not being in control. With the constant stream of bad news and general uncertainty about how things will play out, it’s no wonder that our current global situation has increased people’s anxiety levels. Making plans and taking precautions is important, but it’s all too easy to spiral while catching up on the news.

To combat this, we can start by acknowledging our own lack of control. Then we can narrow our focus to the things within our control: our responsibility to practice social distancing, our ability to reach out to others, and our response to the influx of changes. Ultimately, it's our daily thoughts and actions, which can truly make a difference, both for ourselves and for others.

The pandemic is troubling enough for those in good mental health. If you were already experiencing mental health issues (anxiety disorders in particular), this has likely only exacerbated them. There are resources available for finding counseling services online. Psychology Today allows you to search for online/phone therapists, as do many insurance providers. Remember, seeking help and support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Get Creative with Connecting

Technology gives us an abundance of options for connecting with others in new ways. I’ll be the first to tell you that no, it’s not the same as the real thing, but it’s certainly better than nothing. Truly, we are only limited by our creativity and the strength of our wifi connection. In the past week, I have enjoyed a virtual game night with friends, a writing group, an open mic night, a church small group, and an excuse to re-download Trivia Crack. I’ve been inspired hearing about other ways people have discovered to help them connect, and I look forward to trying more.

If you want or need ways to connect without the use of the Internet, there are plenty of options. You can mail letters (long live snail mail!) or participate in #ChalkYourWalk. And the classic phone call will never go out of style.

Look for Ways to Help Others

When we take our focus off ourselves and shift to how we can help others, paradoxically, our levels of happiness and satisfaction tend to increase. While everyone’s abilities and circumstances are different, there is certainly something you can do to help someone else. If you are in good health and not in a high-risk group, you can consider delivering groceries to elderly neighbors (be sure to use good sanitation practices) or donating blood. Maybe you can say a prayer for those who are sick and suffering. Or perhaps you can call a family member who lives alone and may be feeling the effects of isolation.

Have Grace for Yourself

Many people, myself included, have a strong desire to make the most of this situation. While I believe this desire is generally good, it can become problematic, especially if your anxiety and stress levels are affecting your ability to be productive. If you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that feeling this way is okay, even normal, in a time like this. It’s important to have grace for yourself, like you would if you were feeling physically unwell (and if that is the case, be sure to rest and self-isolate as directed). Rest and practice self-care, as your circumstances allow. In the constant changes brought on by this crisis, we need to continually adjust our expectations for ourselves and our desired productivity levels. And throughout this serious, unprecedented global situation, may we not lose our hope.