COVID-19 Survival Guide: 22 Ways to Cope in a Crisis

When you encounter fellow shoppers taking pictures of empty shelves and jamming jumbo packs of paper towels in the trunk of their car, it effectively defines a panic. We are entering a time of uncertainty, becoming a global community who share the challenge of isolation and its imposition. From hardship comes strength, so I find it productive to focus on the outcome. We will come through this and have a character-building experience, hopefully virus-free. Though loved ones and friends may handle adversity in different ways, be open to their coping methods, find ways to handle the challenges, and stay positive.

Art transcends the spirit in times of stress.

22 Ways to Cope During COVID-19

1. Managing Time: Handle urgent matters but also make time for the fun. For families with children, create a daily schedule similar to what they have in school, where each day they know their set time for work, reading, snacks and fitness.
2. Find a Happy Place: Whether it be a local hiking spot or safe travel zone, venture to a place that frees the mind.
3. Spring Clean: The calendar doesn’t lie, the COVID-19 U.S. pandemic happens to fall right as we enter spring, and disinfecting the home is as important as ever. Give the house an effective clean that will make everyone feel healthier as a result.
4. Access an Outlet: Turn to mood-elevating activities. Ideas include art, reading, cards, crossword puzzles, games, sewing, running, gardening, yoga, spending time outdoors, cooking/baking, playing an instrument and leisure activities.
5. Conversation: Stretch out those rushed discussions and really get into what matters with extended conversation.
6. Sensitivity Toward Others: People handle stress in different ways, don’t minimize someone’s anxiety or the way they handle a crisis–offer encouragement and support.
7. Philanthropy: Check with your town hall on approved and safe volunteer activities that give back, such as cleaning up neighborhood debris and making charitable donations.
8. Chores: Use the time at home constructively. Ideas include: organization, such as closets, storage space and the attic that has the potential to become a family room. Attend to that broken fence you’ve put off fixing along with other projects that need attention.
9. Personal Investment: For all those weeks in the grind–you know, where you yell at your phone’s alarm that goes off in the dark morning hours and that car that almost rear ended you in traffic–be cognizant of not having to contend wish such onus. Use the time to take a longer shower (with a healthy germ-fighting scrub) and get the rest you need. Before you know it the grind will reappear.
10. Throw a Dinner Party for Family Only: Why not dust off the cookbooks and make an inventive meal? Set the table as if you were hosting a party, and make COVID-19 isolation a celebratory event with family.
11. Music: The cure-all to everything is listening to a great jam. Take turns where each family member can have a loop with their favorite play list.
12. Start a Journal: Call it the COVID-19 Blurt Book where you can really delve into your thoughts while improving your writing skills.
13. Binge Watching: Whether its an old Netflix series or new one you were keen to watch, have a popcorn and movie night every night.
14. Crafts: Designate a spare table to all things crafty with beads, spare fabric scraps and supplies so your creative side can take over.
15. Start a Production: And we’re not talking about a drama episode but a real live performance. Designate roles to family members, such as script selection, costumes and sets, and enact a play that will allow everyone to escape.
16. Nighttime Read-a-Thon: As a family or group, take turns reading a chapter a night from a classic book.
17. Redecorate: Assess your home’s layout and how it could benefit from a redesign. Now that the home is being utilized more, you can effectively see how balanced its configuration is.
18. Write Letters: Remember those? Where you relay information via pen to paper and enclose in an envelope with an address and stamp? Sending updates via the post is sure to perk up the receiver and reintroduce you to a classic form.
19. Learn Something New: Avoid YouTube brain-snatcher videos. Does my son really need to watch hours of Apex Legends commentary? From learning a new language to calligraphy, there are fantastic videos to access on everything you wanted to know but had no disposable time to access.
20. Fun Fact a Day: Pull out an encyclopedia and randomly turn to a page to share an interesting fact a day. Also applies to the dictionary and informative online sites.
21. Build a Fort: Create your own getaway with just a few blankets and creatively positioned furniture. Take the space further by packing up a picnic basket and outfitting the area with books and games.
22. Spa Day: Pull out your favorite nail polishes, best beauty products or make your own natural treatments, such as a face mask with a mixture of honey and yogurt, apply to the face and rinse. What better time to tap into health and beauty when it can also prevent catching an infection?

Get away to an open space, which is sure to promote health and serenity.