Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak

[Sophie_M]

We recognise that many of us here in the community are feeling scared, worried and overwhelmed about Coronavirus (COVID19). 

As a result, we created this thread to allow people to come together here during those difficult times and encouraged those wanting to share or seek support to do so here in this space. 
 
It was important with this thread that we maintained perspective and supported each other as best as we could, medical, scientific and public health experts around the world have and still are working hard to contain the virus and treat those affected. 
 
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. 
 
There are some other helpful discussions taking place here within our forum community that you may find helpful to read or participate in: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/hi-there-i-only-just-joined-and... 

This thread is now closed for further posting. Users are still able to read through and find support through already existing posts.  

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi everyone,

It really great to see this thread so active. There are some amazing suggestions and strategies to read through and its really reassuring to know that we can connect together in this online space and get support. You are not alone.

Quirky has asked if anyone has a hobby they have been putting off and I thought I would share mine. I have just started cleaning my skirting boards and am getting ready to paint my main room. I dislike painting quite a lot....but I know I can do it (just needed some motivation) and I have the supplies on hand. The positive results when I finish the job is that it will save me a lot of money and will give me a feeling of achievement at the end and I will have nice white fresh walls.

Putting down some goals on a piece of paper on the fridge can be a great reminder to focus on positive things during a time when there is a lot of confusion and worry. Goals usually have some basic features including:

1. What your going to do...

2. By when...

3. What you need to reach your goal....

4. What result/feeling/gain you will get when you reach it.

Goals are really helpful in times when things are feeling hectic or overwhelming. An easy goal for example...

I will FaceTime my 'family member' once per day by lunch time using my iPhone (which i need to remember to charge overnight). This will give me a feeling of connection during a time when we are all feeling more isolated and will also support my family towards using technology better.

Setting daily goals and tasks is something we are all doing in little ways such as limiting news outlets as SummerRose has done and like Arielle has mentioned, using positive self talk statements to find a sense of calm.

By sharing your goals and strategies here you are helping so many other people who are reading this thread.

Super glad to hear that your clinic was not impacted and you are no longer under thread Matchy69.

Nurse Jenn

[eight]

bidets are french actually! the name is a loan word from that language that means small horse bc of the way you straddle it when using. swear to god covid is what is going to turn the west to using em but i guess you had a good crack guessing they're japanese.

there's an independent store near us my brother wanted to go to yesterday because they're being surprisingly well stocked irt food and a woman was talking in the checkout line about how she had an uncle returning from japan which had a similar crisis for a month and now has greatly overstocked shelves and when he asked if she wanted anything from japan before he flew out she said she wanted toilet paper because theres nothing left in aus

sa's putting a 14 day quarantine for everyone coming in minus border towns. in vic all schools are shuttering on tuesday, and in vic and nsw all non essential places are closing tuesday. i know vic's bein pretty vocal about wanting a lockdown nationwide and considering the way our data for new cases have been curving we will be in deep deep shit if that doesn't happen in the next 2 or 3 weeks and i think im being a little too generous with that estimate.

for quirky even if im looking at just playing animal crossing a lot when the inevitable quarantine hits, i still have books to go through that i've been doing. way too slowly than i would like. maybe tuesday morning i was finishing homework in the library and a girl comes up to borrow something and the librarian jokes "you'll be needing something to read soon". apparently they're encouraging more people to be borrowing now. but thats just from a girl and one librarian i was eavesdropping on

(also also if i am allowed to shill an app i'd recommend if you have a valid library card is libby; lets you access your library's ebooks from your device to borrow and read them)

[Summer Rose]

Hello all

Quirky asked if we have new things we want to try?

I've decided I'm going to learn a new language online. It's a great way to keep the brain active and something I've never had time to do. I'm trying to decide between Italian or Spanish so when we come out the other side I can take a trip and use my new skills. This is really giving me something to look forward to.

My daughter is dusting off her old piano music books--she hasn't played in about 10 years--and was at the piano today. This brings me so much joy because she has OCD and is really suffering right now but she is trying.

My son has downloaded a "prison workout" book and designing home gym routines for the family. He did mine first, which means I now need to move!

We all have to try to live our best lives right now. Keep ploughing on everyone.

Kind thoughts to all

[Matchy69]

Hi now that borders are going be closed will things i have bought interstate online be able to get here?

[Abbie121]

I live alone and have been doing all I can to stay positive, busy and distracted, but the news tonight about the lockdown has made me feel a bit of despair.. not knowing when I can see people again, reaching out to family and friends but not getting much contact or concern back, and just wishing I had someone here at home to go through it all with. 😞

[Matchy69]

Hi Abbie i can absolutely understand how you are feeling.Lonelyness is hard at best of times and now all these anouncements have made it so much worst being isolated.I really do feel for you.You allways got sites like this you can talk and express how you are feeling.It just feels like a total nightmare at the moment.

Take care,

Mark.

[Abbie121]

Thanks so much Mark.. much appreciated.. hope you're doing okay and take care too.

[quirkywords]

Amblonyxx

Welcome to the forum. and thank for your first post on this thread.

Many poeple feel the way you do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

When you feel you lose perspective can you do something to get back in to calmer state or are you stuck in your thoughts .

Summer Rose good luck with leaning another language. Thanks h

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone!

Great news Matchy69..Mark...you would be relieved with the great news....and then some 🙂

Abbie121....I understand you loud and clear.....Good on you for mentioning the power of distraction in this crappy time....It can work wonders!

my kind thoughts.....Paul

[Guest_1584]

Hi all .

I've got a big lockdown question l'm praying someone knows the answer to.

Can people still fly in from another state , as long as they self quarantine ?

And will airlines still be come in and out bringing whomever dos need to come home ?

My gf needs to fly back to my place , vic , from nsw. on wednesday, we planned on riding this thing out at my place for as long as it takes.

We bought tickets this morning knew lockdown wouldn't be far away but was hoping wed would scrape in though but tonight , lockdown . it'll be full force by tues night .So now we can't find out and the haven't talked about this exact scenario on any of the news. tried to call jetstar on hold 1hr 15 , gave up. So we can't tell now yet , whether she'll still be able too.

With NT and SA , you can still drive into them but you have to self quarantine 14 days, don't know if you can still fly into those 2.

Any help very appreciated .

rx