The last couple of weeks have been insane between work and social events. I was trying to get ahead with blog posts, but I failed to do so. Anyways, I’m back, and happier than ever that I took time out of my day to go to those social events.
This week, in particular, it felt like there was a whole shift in mindset towards the coronavirus. If you’re like me, and you’re Canadian, you were probably just living in a state of mild concern. Now, you might be worried, or even worse, panicked.
I totally get it. The NBA and NHL have suspended their seasons until further notice. The MLB has delayed the start of their season, and all of your early spring travels plans are likely cancelled or in limbo.
Don’t view these things as the end of everything good in the world; that’s stupid and selfish. Instead, see this a gift. Don’t replace it with going down YouTube rabbit hole or a chance to binge The Office for the 30th time (especially when it’s not even that funny to begin with).
Use those extra hours to do something you’ve been putting off, or be productive. If you’re fortunate enough to be working remotely (like I am), use the time you’d be commuting to do something that will only make you better at your job. Maybe read a field-focused book, or take an online course.
Here’s what I’ll be doing while at home:
- FaceTiming and calling loved ones
- Reading in the morning
- Light exercise
- Taking Oscar to the dog park on lunch breaks
- Taking the three online courses I’ve been eyeing up
- Learning Dutch on Duolingo
- Cleaning, organizing, and purging for Spring
- Making healthy meals and drinking more water than ever
- Self-care (face masks, baths)
For all of the people hoarding toilet paper and bottled water out there, stop it. Invest in a Brita and turn on the tap. Get what you need for toilet paper and if you have an excess, do what you can to get it to those who may not have or are vulnerable.
Instead, put time and effort into making sure you have:
- Cough syrup
- Tylenol (350 mg) and/or Advil (200 mg)
- Vitamin C tablets
- Hand soap (way cheaper and more effective than hand sanitizer)
- Hand sanitizer (for on the go – but has to have an alcohol content of 60% or more)
- Baby wipes (in case you can’t get toilet paper…common sense)
- Disinfecting wipes
- Dish soap (to mix with hot water to wipe down surfaces)
- Kleenex
- Latex gloves
- Paper masks (to protect other people, not yourself)
- Laundry detergent
Social distancing, remote work, and the impact on mental health
As humans, we are inherently social creatures. We actually need to socialize in order to survive. As happy as I am to see that so many people are rallying around the concept of social distancing, I can’t help but worry about what this will mean for mental health.
So many of us struggle with anxiety and depression, and the inundation of the 24-hour news cycle does little to help. It’s hard to know what’s fact versus what’s fiction, especially when everyone (myself included) is using their various platforms to share information.
My advice: Stick with reputable sources (like the WHO), and don’t be afraid to step away. When we dealt with SARS back in 2003, we didn’t live in the age of social media or electronic news (at least not to this extent). If we wanted to get away from information, all we had to do was turn off the television.
Now, especially if we work in tech-focused settings, we can’t escape. Rather than worrying about what you can’t do or can’t control, worry about what you can do. Take care of yourself physically and mentally.
Have video calls with your co-workers where possible, and check in on the people in your life. It will help everyone involved to get through this. Living in a world where coronavirus is spreading is our new normal, and though we don’t have to accept it, we have to do our best with the time and the resources we have.
Khadijah Plummer Consulting 