Tips to help you cope in times of crisis – Part two
by Kim Palchikoff
Whether positive or negative, all feelings come and go.
They aren’t a permanent fixture in your mind and you don’t have to feel them round the clock. When they do seem to take over your life, that might be the time to reach out for medical help, either to your primary care physician or a psychiatrist. Primary care doctors can prescribe basic psychiatric medications for things like anxiety and depression. For more complicated cases they usually refer their patients to a specialist. But try your primary care doctor first.
Apart from medication, there are other ways to make bad feelings disappear, or at least be experienced to a lesser degree or less frequently. Not all ways help all people de-stress, or cope better with their emotions, but individuals who have coping strategies will handle their situation better. Incorporate dedicated time for relaxation.
Some common coping strategies include doing some form of exercise, from practicing yoga or going for a walk to taking a bike ride, or even dancing in your living room. You don’t have to live with negative emotions. Don’t wait long periods of time to deal with them.
Reach out to friends and family to socialize and have fun. These days it most likely will be by phone, email, text or a video conferencing program like Skype or Zoom. You don’t have to meet in person. Have virtual events like a virtual happy hour or a regular meal, like breakfast or dinner. With thousands of Americans infected with coronavirus, it’s a good time not only to take care of your own mental well-being but help somebody else.
