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COVID-19 – Coping through the uncertainty
April 7, 2020
It can feel like we have no control over our situation at times, but as the diagram above points out, even though there are things we can't control, we still have a measure of control over our actions and where we choose to focus our attention.
During this time the Southern Highlands Bereavement Care Service is unable to offer face to face counselling sessions in our office due to the lockdown restrictions. We are however, able to offer phone and Zoom counselling sessions to continue to support those who are experiencing loss, grief or isolation/health anxiety during this time.
Here are a few tips that may assist you during these times of self-isolation:
- Make time for your grief and let yourself reflect on your loved one and remember them in your own special way.
- Maintain daily routines that are consistent with keeping healthy. It can sometimes help to write down your daily plan to keep you focused and on track.
- Start journalling about your feelings during this time. What is hard? What helps a little bit? What are you still grateful for? Write to your loved one in your journal and tell them what is happening for you now.
- Consider the ways that you can stay connected with others that don’t involve physical contact eg: Facebook, Instagram, Skype, Zoom, phone, writing letters.
- Be kind to yourself during this time. Do things that you can enjoy at home eg: cooking your favourite healthy dishes, doing some craft, painting or drawing, moving your body to music, scrap-booking photos and memories, reading, learning something new (a language, a hobby, playing a musical instrument), sing in the privacy of your home, gardening, sorting cupboards, learn to meditate, stretch your body every day and use cans of food as weights etc.
- Let yourself watch some movies or television shows that make you feel uplifted.
- Limit yourself watching too many news bulletins to 30 mins a day (just enough to stay informed without being overwhelmed).