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_10473]

I feel like I have so many highs and lows at the moment. Sometimes I wake up feeling great and then an hour so later I feel so fatigued/unmotivated/helpless and then something small will happen and I am elated. I was just sitting here trying to remember the last time I had so many mood swings . . . maybe when I was a teenager! It used to be that if I started feeling anxious I would go for a brisk walk and my mood would improve the rest of the day. Now I find that I am needing to do things like taking a walk multiple times a day as the positive effect just isn’t lasting. I think that for me part of the struggle with this change in routine, working from home and being isolated from friends and family members is that it seems as though there is no end in sight. I want life to return to normal, yet I am also scared for things to open up again as I just want everyone to be safe.

[Speak Your Truth]

Hello Fred. I can understand some of how you feel, I’m pretty much the same, in some ways at least. But I’ve started having more lows than highs. It’s in your favour that you have a job to focus on, I would be much happier (I think) if I had a job. So if you are able to leave your job for half an hour and go for a walk or jog around the block it would be great, as you say that helps. It’s the energy we use and the stress building up that does it, and then relieved by walking or getting busy doing something physical. I don’t think the change in routine and the isolation is easy for anyone so can you console yourself knowing you aren’t alone, and that it’s normal ? So try not to be hard on yourself.

Easy for me to say try not to be hard on yourself, when I’m hard on myself. LOL I know I have so much to be grateful for - to live in Australia, that I’m not sick, that I have a safe place to live etc etc but I’m still finding it incredibly difficult. I am so very lonely and aching for company and a hug. I had the weight to loose so not really a problem unless I go too much more the other way, but I have lost quite a lot of weight, as I don’t think about eating until I get a headache and feel weak. I’m lucky that I sleep pretty well, with the wonderful help of lavender spray, and when I woke this morning I was very comfortable, deliciously warm and I didn’t want to move a muscle to disturb that. But I did get up, how long it took I don’t know, and it’s been an awful day since. There have been lots of days for me with numerous ups and downs tho. I tried to relieve the pressure today by having a Telehealth appointment which didn’t help at all - he wasn’t my usual doctor and he was very practical with no empathy at all. So I tried a helpline which was only marginally better. 🥴😢

As so many people on these forums say “we’re here for you” Fred. Look after you 👍😊

[Zephyr7]

Hello Speakyourtruth,

I love lavender spray, I do the same thing each evening before bed! I totally agree re exercise to dispel the stress energy...I think we just have to do our little walks each day as many times as it's needed, as this is a tool that helps us to cope.

I find going for little walks helps me get out of own head and remember im not alone, as there ard other people going for walks too- a simple smile these days is repaid so quickly.

Tonight I've been trying to get to sleep for 2 hours now, my mind is racing as I've decided to return my cat so I can get things back to normal, she needs more space than my apartment and more help with toilet training, and I'm just not cut out for it. I feel sad but relieved for a time before my brain incessantly focuses on my work worries... will I keep my job? Will we go under? I've been there 3 months, so ineligible for JobKeeper... it honestly terrifies me that i'll spiral again if my job doesn't work out. 2 heavy anxiety episodes makes me absolutely shake... I've gone 4 nights without proper sleep, so desperate to fall asleep and feel refreshed and not anxious on waking up...please pray for me that I can actually relax and sleep well.

Thinking of everyone on the forum, sending happy thoughts - keep up your good work, every message inspires me that I'm not alone. Xx

[Speak Your Truth]

Oh Zephyr - lol 😂. I was talking to Fred about exercise for him. Exercise for me isn’t working very well at all. But more about me later.

I’m glad you have decided to give your new cat back from whence it came. I read your post before I replied to Fred, and was tempted to reply to you suggesting you do just that. But I wasn’t game to say that to you, as really it’s a very personal choice for you to make. What went through my mind was that a friend of mine, a senior like me, acquired two young dogs that proved to be way more than she could cope with, and only in part they contributed to her death. They caused her too much stress. None of us need to add more stress to our lives so I’m glad you have made that choice about your cat.

It made me smile, kind of 🥴, that you said “keep up the good work” because I don’t feel I’m “doing good” at all. I live alone and as well as everything else we’ve got to deal with I read on-line tonight that social distancing and NO hugs from outside the family circle you live with will be “the norm” for about two years. I am always wanting hugs, needing hugs and I’m already having such a big problem now, let alone in one or two years time. It’s beyond me to know how to cope with that concept.

Anyway it’s time I had a shower, sprayed the lavender around and got to sleep. I am very tired.

Hugs 🤗 to you Zephyr, Cala

[Guest_1643]

Hey Zephyr, welcome to the forum. Just wanted to let you know I checked out your posts and really feel for you. What a difficult time to have to navigate all this now, and to find out because of some quirk in the system you aren't eligible for JobKeeper.
I'm sorry it's been so difficult.
I hope you get some sleep tonight and are okay. Take good care

[Jasmine_R]

Just wanted to check in and say today was a good day for me I went for a walk witch a badly need it was great and i did some more art today was fun I know that I’m have my good and bad days but today was one of the good days I’m feeling a bit better tonight being on hear has help me so I just wanted to say thanks and it great that when I do fell as down as I get I can come hear and get my feelings out before they get to out of control I’m finding that I need to get things of my chest and the old I get I’m finding I can’t keep my feelings inside for so long it’s not good for me so it’s a lesson I needed to learn so today was good day for me I hope 2 morrow we be a good day for me and I don’t start feeling lonely and sad all over again I guess iv got to take one day at a time their always high and low and some times really bad lows but being on hear has help me a lot with the lows Iv found

[golden82]

Hi - Glad I found this conversation. I posted about the cure being worse than the disease weeks ago - and am still of that opinion. Particularly for those who are isolated, living alone, and already struggling with mental health. Of which I am one. We are not represented by the governments and all their talk of families etc. There was an article on the news sites today that the indirect deaths of Covid will be far greater than those of Covid - and not just now but for the next 5yrs at least due to the impact on the economy and wellbeing. In essence their will be a large increase in suicides and this is such a tragedy that we have had an overblown knee-jerk reaction - worrying about the possible deaths of the very elderly and dying - at the expense of all others that should have a lot of living left to do! It doesn't make sense to me. And I totally agree with several of you here on this thread and understand your frustration and want for some form of quality of life and freedom to do what it is you like to do that gives you a quality of life. All these restrictions are not allowing for that - and whilst I can see there are some pluses to lockdowns such as slowing life down and taking time to smell the roses...overall we want our freedoms and choices to live our lives as we chose to do. Thank you

[blondguy]

Hey Golden82

I remember when you posted about the cure being worse than the virus a while ago...Your thoughts on Covid19 are just as valued as mine or anyone else's on the forums..This is an awful period we are all going through

The impact of social hibernation will have some detrimental effects on peoples mental health. I understand where you are coming from and thankyou for making this valid point...Thankyou Golden82...Paul

[Moonstruck]

golden82.....I heartily agree with you. From Day One...I remember saying "the cure will be worse than the disease" I also mentioned a dramatic rise in domestic violence, alcohol increases, suicides and a Huge Rise is mental health i.e. anxiety and depression.

The patronising way some Premiers speak to "us" via the media as if we are children is sickening in itself. Our Premier with broad smiles of joy announces with glee how pleased she is with us all, being such good people in dramatically lowering our cases to zero.....(only ones lately have either been in aged care homes or via a cruise or overseas travel)...and guess what kids? "5 of you, yes a whole FIVE People can visit Mum for Mothers Day...wow...now kids, remember, only 5 at once..so this is what you could do..one group can go in the morning, another family group (oh yes it must be family only) in the afternoon and even one in the evening!!

But remember children....NO HUGS for Mother.....we are still not "out of the woods" yet....We know what is best for you." It's appalling being spoken to like that.

[Sarahbelle]

Hi meforcats

I am feeling much more calm today and trying to focus on being grateful. Had the best sleep for months so think this has helped me enormously. I hope you are going okay today and have something to look forward to.

I was thinking about Mother's Day and what a beautiful day we had last year with mum and family - never imagining how different it would be this year. My lovely mum died a few months after, I miss her every day - she was my best friend and we lived together. Mother's Day will be a tough one for so many for many many different reasons. I am lucky as I have my son with me and my gorgeous dog.

I live near the city and this morning there was the most beautiful big parrot perched in the tree - I have never seen one near here before. A friend who lives in a regional area said a Koala family has happily moved into the park next door and she too has never seen before. The sea turtles are thriving too. Less human interaction and pollution since COVID 19 has enabled this to happen. There is a great youtube clip by Tom Foolery telling a bedtime story about the virus.

As I said earlier, today is a calm day for me so I am trying to stick with the positives and be grateful where I can. Who knows how long it will last on this roller coaster but I will do my best to avoid the big dipper.

I hope all who read this post can find something for themselves they are grateful for and celebrate it no matter how small.

Sarahbelle