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.  

[Matchy69]

Hi Hanna when they rung me to tell me they said if i develop flu like symptons to ring them imediately.Their is a drive through testing facility in the big town near hear with the people completely covered taking samples.Greg Hunt wouldnt answer how many test kits we did have so could be a shortage of them which wouldnt be a suprise as their is a shortage of everything except fruit.

[quirkywords]

Smidge welcome to the forum and well done for making your first post.

It must be so hard for self employed people like you in these uncertain times. The long term effects of the virus and the bushfires on businesses both big and small will be far reaching.

I can understand that having the responsibility of employing 25 people with the current uncertainty would cause stress and anxiety.

I suppose no one knows what the future will be but you can try to look after your own health now. Have you spoken to your doctor.

MY business and home were destroyed in the fires, I did nothing wrong, but it happened. Sometimes we can't makes sense of things but we have to learn to cope with the circumstances. It is unfair and it is hard but we will get through this.

I feel your pain and I hope parents will reenrol their children .

Feel free to come here and read and post. You are not alone and there is support for you.

Thanks for your honesty and I wish I had advice to give you.

Quirky

[Jojosuga]

Hi everyone

I'm new to this site. I have been struggling for a few weeks now as a result of this current situation. Anger, anxiety, being overwhelmed and generally despondent.

Thanks Sophie for this forum. I have been searching for coping mechanisms and have found some helpful ideas on here.

I live alone and have no family. I rely on friend networks and sporting activities and am finding many options now closed off.
I like my own company but need people, and struggle with forced isolation.

I hope to find lots of positive posts on here.

Thanks🤗

[Hanna3]

Hi Matchy, yes I know there's a shortage of testing kits & we have busloads of people here coming from the city to raid the supermarket stores here so there's almost nothing on the store shelves, it's disgusting behaviour.

I think you'll be fine, the surgery is just following up and making sure you know what to do. In this changeable weather (going from cold to hot and back to cold) people are catching colds and also get the sneezes with hayfever etc - if it had definitely been the coronavirus they'd have let you know for sure! If you start to feel worse and develop a fever then phone up the doctors practice and ask them what to do, but I think you are fine. Best wishes! I guess any of us could be quarantined any time if we run into someone who has flu like symptoms. These are strange times indeed! cheers, keep in touch on the café etc

[Matchy69]

Hi everyone i nice story to tell you when i went grocery shopping this morning i got everything i needed except for toilet paper.When i walked out after checkout there was a man leaning over a trolly and said to me do you need toilet paper and i said i do but i couldnt get any and then he handed me a large roll like you would find in a public toilet and he had a few in his trolly as well as boxs of tissues.I said how much and he said nothing its yours and I am handing them out to people who cant get any and then he gave me to boxes of tissues.I tried giving him some money but he wouldnt take.It put tears in my eyes i thought what a beautiful person.It was so good seeing this man do that after all the bad stories you here of fighting and people being trampled on.I have given that role to my elderly neighbour who said she couldnt any the other day and was just about out.And i gave one box of tissues to my ex wife.I only have a couple of rolls left but i have newspaper.Sir you are what gives me hope.

[BillieIndigo]

I don’t know if this is helpful to anyone but if you’re in a position where inability to buy hand sanitizers and masks anywhere is making you anxious (it was for me!) I’ve discovered how easy it is to make yourself. There are simple DIY recipes online. I made some hand sanitiser just with ethanol from my chemist and aloe Vera gel. Just 2 ingredients 🙂 Saved me a whole lot of anxiety.

I also went to a craft store (for other reasons) and a woman was showing people how they could make their own masks. Just elastic and some fabric pads. Very easy. It’s helped me feel a lot better.

If the large supermarkets are giving anxiety, could try the small international supermarkets- the 3 near me were completely stocked with frozen and fresh foods. It’s an opportunity to contribute to small local business too 🙂

And unless we have to self-isolate, there is no reason to stop going outside and enjoying nature or catching up with a friend. Sit in the park, go for a bushwalk, go to the beach, have a picnic, go for a scenic drive. We just have to avoid crowds 🙂

I hope today and this weekend is a bit better for everyone

[Star_gaze]

Another restless night as I paced in the dark in the middle of the night and tried to nap whenever I felt tired. I will try to do another meditation session today to continue to see if I match and break the number of consecutive days I am doing daily meditation.

I feel very isolated and alone, even though I know we're all in this together, and I am not sure when my anxiety will pass, but I am trying my best to be kind to all and to myself so that I don't judge myself too harshly for not being able to sleep. I worry daily about my family and loved ones, when I look back and the triggers it is not surprising, with all this anxiety one can get physically worn out as well. Have been self-isolating for five days now, and go out only in the evening for one walk around the block making sure to do the social distancing thing. I never thought I would miss physical contact, never being much of a hugger, but now yes I see how very comforting physical contact is. I want to give my family the biggest of hugs, but right now, with my sinuses playing up, I'm settling for good conversation and washing my hands frequently and thoroughly and telling myself I can give them all my love with my words and with my actions of helping them out wherever I can and trying to not relay my anxiousness onto them. My concentration at work has been a challenge, and I will continue to balance hard work with good mental and physical health. Wishing everyone a better day than yesterday, may we find strength in ourselves and each other, and find calm and safety in our lives

[Guest_1643]

Hi Billie Indigo, sorry you're going through a hard time and that work and uni are making you feel like you don't matter..... I wanted to send you care and support. A nice mantra I use when I feel like I want to control everything is "this is good enough." Know that you are good enough, and what you're doing is good enough too. And really, we are all so stressed now if you need to take a day off work I hope you can do so in peace.

[Guest_1643]

Hi all. Hope everyone is doing okay and managing to find (or make - loved that idea BilliIndigo) - all the products you need. I know these times can be really triggering and hard with mental health. It's so confusing and scary.
A not so close friend sent me a message saying "I imagine it would be really rough being isolated when you live alone..."
and i didn't reply but found it hard to answer. I live alone but I don't feel that has such a big baring on this. They say people who live alone can be very connected if it forces them to go out and socialise more, and cultivate more social connections. I don't like people making assumptions about me... even in an innocent comment.
It's like saying to me "You're so alone, you are so different, you have a harder time because of that." I don't like those assumptions, i would rather tell my own story than for other people to tell it for me, and assume what its like to live in my body and world.

[Gambit87]

Hi all,

Been keeping up with the posts from the kindness pandemic facebook group - thats helping keeping my spirits high through this.

My taekwondo class and poker games has shut down for the time being. Annoying because the help keep me grounded and focused, but I think to myself - thats ok! this will pass and they will start back up again. I'll just have to find other things to do in the meantime.

One thing im doing is baking! - when i can find supplies haha.

I hope everyone has having an ok day today!