How are you coping during COVID-19?

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Buddha

It’s a very strange time that we find ourselves living in, a time no one had ever imagined and a time no one really understands. Confined to our houses we are seeing the world completely differently. There has been a huge rise in anxiety among us all, a rise in fearful and irrational thoughts and behviours. At a time where we are all working together to save our physical health, let’s not forget that we need to also look after and save our mental health.

The media coverage of this pandemic has inevitably added to the stress and anxiety we are all feeling. But that’s the thing, we are ALL feeling it. You are NOT ALONE.

Things you could consider doing during lockdown to help your mental health...

1) Read a book

Yes it sounds easy, however, when was the last time you read a book solely for pleasure. Instead of watching the TV or the news, read a book, help train your mind to be able to re focus and enter a make-believe world.

2) Start a Journal

We are living a moment that will be taught in history lessons to children in years to come. Perhaps you could journal your experience to share with the next generation, or perhaps it will be more of a way of you allowing your emotions to come out wihtout any reservaton. You can set aside a time each day to write in your journal, allow your deepest fears to come to the forefront of your mind, write them down, then allow yourself to close the journal and your fears away till the next day.

3) Learn Something

There are so many online courses that you could try your hand at. Have you ever wanted to learn something but never had the time? Well now you do.

4) Do something for YOU

Be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling a certain way, don’t punish yourself for having days where you struggle. You will find that by being kind and positive with yourself, you will overcome these challenges far easier and quicker.

Speaking to a Life Coach or Therapist at this Time

It is important to know that although we are in lockdown, counselling, coaching and other therapies do not have to happen in person. During this time (or any time) you can have therapy over the phone. Perhaps, now more than ever you may want to reach out and gain some help and clarity, as we navigate our way through this uncertain and unprecedented time, that is extremely daunting. There are many benefits of talking to a coach via the phone, sometimes you can feel more at ease when you are not face to face or out of your comfort zone.

Focus on your Attitude - This is something YOU CAN control, when the world seems out of control.

Only you can change the way you feel, what you think and your outlook on life. One positive of this situation, is that you have time to work on yourself, to try and help yourself be the person you long to be. The best first step to living a more positive life, is to make an attitude of gratitude. Stop comparing yourself, your life, your thoights, to others. Each day find one thing to be grateful for. It could be that you have a roof over your head, that you can hear birds sing, simply that you are alive.

Finally, try your hardest to make this difficult, lonely and scary time, become something more positive, use this time wisely.

Talk to someone a coach, councillor, therapist if you need to.

Don’t feel alone.

Please feel free to email findyourpath121@outlook.com

Visit our facebook page @findyourpath121 or our Instagram Page for positive posts and affirmations to help during this time.