Originally posted March 13, 2020
With recent pandemic warnings, the novel Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), school board strikes, the plunging stock market, rail blockades, job losses and an uncertain political environment, 2020 has been tumultuous, leaving Canadians from coast to coast feeling jittery.
These uncertain times are especially challenging for anyone with a mental illness. People with anxiety challenges are unable to self-regulate. Fear mongering and the fear of the unknown fuels the news channels and social media platforms 24/7 … it’s all about the number of views/clicks. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and over sensationalized news are the bane of most therapists’ work.
So what can you do to help cope during uncertain times? As a psychotherapist, here are a few suggestions:
- Maintain your routines as much as possible.
- Avoid crowds, but don’t isolate yourself.
- Pick up the phone and have a chat with a good friend.
- Sleep, because it’s good for your immune system.
- Eat healthy food. Don’t stress eat and avoid eating junk food.
- Don’t drink too much alcohol — or coffee.
- Exercise - it’s calming and may boost immune function.
- Get news from reliable sources only.
- Take breaks. Play a game. Watch a fun movie. Take a yoga class. Try a meditation app.
For more details or to book a free consultation please contact Sanjay Govindaraj (Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist) at sanjay@alignedhealth.ca or call
647-496-6775 ext. 6
About the author: Sanjay Govindaraj is a first generation immigrant, speaks Hindi, Tamil and Kannada and has extensive experience supporting immigrants and refugees to Canada. Sanjay is a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist and has an active private practice providing counselling/psychotherapy at Aligned Health in Waterloo, Ontario. For more details about Sanjay, check Psychology today.
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