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.  

[Guest_342]

I know how you feel. I live alone in Melb. I have missed the human interactions too. And my favourite thing - getting a massage. Just that human touch.

I know this can feel hopeless. I had many feelings of hopelessness last year. And I get set back each subsequent lockdown. We went from people celebrating a zero day to a lockdown the next.

I've had to try really hard to stay connected but things that I've tried are:

- Social networking app to find friends in your 5km. I used Bumble BFF and met another lady in a park that we both could reach within the rules. We keep our 1.5 between us but it's refreshing to have that in-person interaction. Is that an option for you?

- For friends not in your bubble, an option is to watch movies, eat meals and walk 'together'. I had a partner last year in Sydney and we spent 8months separated by covid. we cooked the same recipes once a week then ate together by FaceTime or pressed play on Netflix at the same time and watched a movie together while also on FaceTime. One time I created a historical tour of his neighbourhood and got him to walk to various landmarks and I'd tell him a bit about eg an old house or monument.

- I joined a free weekly laughing yoga class through Eventbrite. The buzz stayed with me until the next day!

- Local gyms do online classes and they're often cheaper than in person rates. That's a nice way to connect with your neighbourhood.

- Fresh air really does wonders. I know it's a pain wearing a mask outside - but I generally feel much better afterwards.

- Also, some people here like to feel offended when Dr Coatsworth suggested last year that Melburnians should make their beds each day to feel better. I see how some could take it the wrong way but I also understand the value of simple things like this and sticking to a routine. It's strange how I feel a little better in the morning when I leave my room tidy. Are there some items you could put into a list, achievable goals for the day, and feel the satisfaction of ticking them off one by one? Eg 1) Fuss over the cat for a good 5 mins, 2) wash the dishes, 3) call a friend while walking, etc. Or learn one new thing each day?

Also, mindfulness can be great. E.g. count 5 different sounds you hear on your walk or spot 10 things that are the colour red.

Finally, avoid doom scrolling through news. Just find ways to get the info you need and then switch off.

I hope some of this helps.

Go girl! xo

[blondguy]

Hello Alexlisa

I understand where you coming from as I am in the situation and it is painful. Our last pandemic was 103 years ago. There is no manual for Covid (Delta) as you know. I also find it difficult as part of my treatment/recovery with my anxiety issues is to get out and about which I cant do in Victoria during so many lockdowns

You made an excellent point re the importance of social contact and thats where so many of us are doing it hard

Being in a current hotspot would be difficult Alexlisa...you speak from the heart....

we are here and are very good listener's too 🙂

Paul

[MsG2021]

I find it’s not catching COVID that is causing the distress

its relationships breaking under pressure

it’s children witnessing their families under stress

its people living with disabilities or illness with no access to their regular supports, routines & services

It’s fear of & actual homelessness after years of working & saving building business etc to lose it all

its A loss of hope - not being able to plan things, go for job interviews or plan financial solutions eg sell your belongings only to go into another lockdown.

it’s feeling helpless with no support.

Its heartbreaking to see families living in their car or loss if lives due to the pressure.

i Have a medical condition & had to stop treatment because we couldn’t get my treatment & drug into the country & then start, stop, start.

tired of lockdowns & not being able to have power over choices or be able to find solutions, to plan a way out & then another lockdown & not qualify for any govt assistance

[Elizabeth CP]

Alexlisa mentioned having a support worker with NDIS. We live in Vic but were able to have support workers come to our house to assist him. It came under the Care & compassion heading. Obviously you will be restricted to permitted activities with your SW. My husband is blind as well as having other disabilities. He likes going for walks but having someone with him is safer as they can ensure he doesn't get too close to other people to avoid any risk of catching the virus. I'm struggling with yet another lockdown making it impossible to do some of the things that will help me cope with my stresses and MH issues. I try to remind myself that these lockdowns are needed to stop the situation getting out of control as it has in NSW but it is hard.

[Guest_342]

I thought I'd add a bit of positivity - what are three things you're going to do when this ends (and it will!).

I'm going to fly to Queensland to see an old friend who I've not seen in 10 years

I'll organise a monthly family meal - we don't see each other enough

I'll lie on the beach (even though it's never really been my thing) and soak in some warmth and breath in beautiful fresh, unmasked sea air

xoxo

[Guest_1584]

Amazing.

Saw a clip today on Florida in the US , they're getting 1500 under 15 aged kids , cases a days. Yep , you read right andddd, it's the Delta they're taking about.
So guess what , they're think orrrrrr, we might have to bring in restrictions until more people get vaxed. So , from what l can gather , they aren't even on restrictions. That's just under 15 yr olds, 1500 a day. They didn't even mention the adult cases.

How the hell , l see things like this from all over the world. Tokyo yesterday show full shopping malls and mels , streets , not sure what part it was bc it sure looks empty around the Olympics area . For get the country but Europe , they're thinking they might have to lock down again , 5,000 cases a day and the streets were shoulder to shoulder with 100s of 1000s of people in some festival , literally head to head , not even masked most of them.

How does stuff like this go on all over the world , when we're shutting down for 10 cases a day , even the 300 in Sydney is absolutely nothing , nothing , compared to these places and that was only a few , there are countries all over the world like that right now.

None of it makes sense.

rx

[Bananie1234]

I think one thing we got to bare in mind is, being vaxxed isn’t about not catching it, it’s about reducing the severity of the symptoms and hospitalisation so that if you were to catch it, you’re most likely going to be okay and feel less sick. Our main goal is to not exhaust our healthcare system. Viruses are always tricky which is why we still can’t cure the common cold or even influenza. You let the virus run its course.

its upsetting to see the rest of the world open up and we are going in and out of lockdown indefinitely. Sure we can argue their figures are high but we don’t know how much of these cases are vaccinated. Take UK for example, their figures are bad, but over 50% of the population is vaccinated so unless all those cases are unvaccinated, it shouldn’t be the biggest deal. Maybe that’s why they remain out of lockdown.

sometimes i feel we focus too much on number of cases we forget about other stuff.

i also fear it’ll be harder and harder to reach zero. People are defeated. They are exhausted. Eventually people won’t care anymore and as a result we are going to be in and out of lockdown one after the other indefinitely

[Guest_1643]

hi summer rose, hpe u are takign care of urself. i have always thought that in some ways having wealth and securty can make it harder to talk about Mental health, because ppl will not see the inner pain. thanks for ur message and care. hope everyone is okay.

[Guest_1643]

HI Alexlisa, that does sound tough, and ur heartfelt post resonated with me. thank u for sharing. u are not alone

losing social contacts is so painful and hard. sending care to you, through this hard time, and to everyon in sydney

[lunastone]

@benanie: yes, experts did say that if lockdown is too often, people would get the fatigue and it would eventually fail. It has shown over and over again that pursuing of zero is not realistic in a long term. Sadly, it needs some convincing to the risk adverse australia residents at this stage. I see the 4 phases plan. I could only hope that states would come on board than going about what they feel like doing, ie. lockdown as a first resort rather than last when our vax rate is finally up.

@mermaid: i also have the guilt when i think about other people have it tougher.

@MrsG: you have said it all. There are a lot of things in life that has been destroyed by not catching covid atm. But like Benanie has said, australia seems to focus so much on the covid number and forgets about other illness, family relationship etc.