It can be easy to fall into panic during a crisis. Fears can overcome like the fury of an avalanche on a snow-covered mountain—one minute it’s sunny and so beautiful, the sun’s blinding reflection on the snow—the next minute, it’s a runaway freight train that’s a mile wide and gaining speed with every passing second. Similarly is the momentum of panic.

Decreasing panic and keeping calm in wake of Coronavirus.

How does a person adjust to lifestyle changes in the wake of a virus? We could be asking the same question if it were a natural disaster like a hurricane or tornado, an earthquake or fire. There is a difference, though. Namely, we are now learning how to live a virus-prevention lifestyle through behavior changes.

B E H A V I O R S T R A T E G I E S W H I L E W E A D J U S T

Government and Medical Recommendations

• 6 Feet Social-Distancing
• Wear a mask while shopping
• Wear disposable gloves
• Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water
• Wash hands with hand sanitizer
• 2 weeks at-home “hunker down” if showing symptoms or have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual
• Seek medical care and testing as advised by your physician

H O W T O C O P E:

K E E P A R O U T I N E > B E P O S I T I V E > B E T O G E T H E R A T H O M E > T I M E F O R F U N , C R E A T I V I T Y , L A U G H T E R !

• Make a positive mental outlook and practice it in your thoughts
• Keep a daily routine at home, i.e. use an alarm to wake up, shower, change clothes, fix healthy meals (organic if possible)
• Take advantage of the great opportunity to be with your children more as they are home-schooled/help them with their studies
• Do your work: work from home, home chores, yard chores
• Have fun! Be creative! Laugh!
• Exercise: walk, go to the park, work-out, start tai-chi (YouTube videos)
• Enjoy hobbies or learn a new hobby (origami, painting, musical instrument, dance, wood working, creative writing)
• YouTube is great for self-learning how to’s
• Read
• Prayer

P R A Y E R

Those of us who live a life that is faith-based are strengthened by our eternal Hope. Whatever the life circumstances at hand may be, and right now, this means the Coronavirus—we are comforted in our faith. Jesus reminds us in Luke 11: 9-13… And I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive. and everyone who seeks will find; and the door will be opened to all who knock.

If you are reading this, know that I pray for all of us as we adjust, claim our resiliency and live a life of Hope … through these challenging times.

—Mina Thevenin, LCSW