Warding off the blues - Lifestyle - Gaston Gazette

Monday

Mar 23, 2020 at 12:01 AM

Dear Cindy: I know that we are all coping with the coronavirus. I keep wondering if I am overreacting though. I find myself getting very upset after a trip to the grocery store when I cannot find items that I need. I know ahead of time that the stores are out of stock but it upsets me just the same, as do the long lines. I grow impatient pretty quickly. The news also stresses me out, with minute to minute descriptions of shutdowns all over the world.

The icing on the cake was when my family had to postpone our reunion, scheduled for the last week in March. My brother is insulin diabetic and lives in Canada. Air travel is way too risky. My sister (who lives in NY)has the opportunity to move her knee surgery up and won't be in any shape to be on vacation. How can I ward off the blues? — Coping with Coronavirus

Dear Coping with Coronavirus: Yes, this is a terribly challenging time. Long lines and endless news updates can easily test our patience. Places like the grocery store can seem a bit spooky – overcrowded and understocked. It is too bad about your family gathering having to be put off, especially because of the long distance between you and the infrequency of your visits.

Everywhere there seems to be both obstacles and emotional hurdles to arise above. It IS painful to have our lives disrupted, with restaurants and schools shutting down, events being cancelled, the gym is closed. At times like this (especially at times like this) I cannot emphasize enough the importance of self-care. It is infinitely harder to cope if our basic needs aren’t being met. Make sure that you shower every day. Try to walk up and down your street once a day if possible or stretch for 30 minutes in your living room. Be sure to eat. Take breaks from the TV news and watch sitcoms instead.

Perhaps it is wise to avoid crime shows. Try new programs. Read magazines or books. Use your cellphone a minimum of at least two times each day: Call, Connect and Commiserate. Reach out to family and friends. Talk about being frustrated. There is power in sharing our truth. Knowing that others are facing similar difficulties and are having similar experiences is important. Exchanging strategies. When we are living in unchartered territory it is important to stay nourished. It’s essential for having some peace of mind.

Cindy Davis is a retired, licensed professional counselor. All inquiries are confidential. Questions can be emailed to cindysuggests@gmail.com.