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.  

[quirkywords]

I want to welcome you Skyline to the forum and this thread.

ophie has given you support and suggestions.

I can feel your frustration and pain and anger through your words,

So much has changed and you are coping with a lot and I hope writing your post helped you express your emotions.

You are most welcome to post here as much as you like. There will be people here who will relate to you and we all are supportive and listening.

[suba]

Hi all & THANKS Sophie.M for starting this post. It has been awhile since I last posted and the world has certainly changed since then, I have always suffered from anxiety but fortunately have found ways of dealing with it but I must admit that it has been quite hard during theses times of uncertainty. I work in food manufacturing so am still working which is good in one way but not another. In our office there is usually 30 people but we are now back to about 10 due to people working from home. We try to have a Skype meeting at least once a week to catch up which has been great but it seems after talking with the guy's at home it is a lot harder for them, so I have passed on some of the things i do to assist with the anxiousness. Firstly is to set up a routine and be disciplined in sticking to it, secondly get outside for a brisk walk or run for a least 30 minutes once a day, get plenty of sleep and change to a good diet with plenty of fruit & vegetables and stay positive, if you find that difficult call someone that you know will cheer you up the most important thing is to stay happy so so when you are not working find things to do that you like and you know will make you feel good.

All the best to everyone at BLUE VOICES and stay safe and try not to tune into all the media hype.

[meforcats]

Hi everyone.

Hope you're all managing ok.

I've been doing Hasfit exercises for seniors on my Tablet. 15 mins twice a day and it's great. A good overall workout and I feel really good afterwards. I hope this post helps some of you.

Take care.

[Skyline_Pigeon]

What am I doing??? Nothing, that's the problem. I was working from home, but I got so upset with my team that I had a melt-down, so I have logged off. Working from home doesn't work for me. I have been talking to people on the phone, but that doesn't cut it for me either. Conversation is not my thing. I have also been in numerous group zoom chats, but I end up sitting quietly. It doesn't work for me... though I continue to participate. I haven't seen my mum who is in a nursing home for 6 weeks as they are locked down. I will STILL not be able to see her (nor will the rest of the family) because of new rules that were sneaked in by the Government - "no visitors who have not had a flu vaccine". I have had a flu vaccine 3 times in my life and each time it caused me to get very sick with the flu. Other than those times, I hardly ever get sick... maybe a mild cold every 6 - 8 years. Also, I live in Melbourne and my partner lives in Canberra, so I haven't seen her either (though we talk on the phone & zoom). I should mention she's in the health game so a stickler for the rules... which hasn't worked in my favour too. Before we were locked down, I would travel to Canberra on a Thursday evening, work from my Canberra office on Friday and Monday, and come back to Melb very early on Tuesday to work in my Melb office Tue, Wed & Thurs. At the moment I need to work from Melb home where I live with one of my daughters. Due to the Covid containment measures, the business I built up from scratch over 42 years is really challenged. So what do I do to keep myself sane? Well, I could lie to myself, or I could try to conform and be one of the sheep... but that is just not part of my persona. I exercise, but somehow that makes me angrier. I cook - a lot - and as a result am putting on weight, but I guess that is what I have always done when I've been down. Oh and I don't want to talk to my friends and family about how I feel because it brings them down too... so I keep it in... and I just get angrier. I went for a blood test today. I was hailed mid-stride and ordered to squirt goo in my hands and then put through an inquisition by someone wearing a mask. I was then told to sit in the corner and wait. I just can't deal with that!!!!! I have stopped watching the news because it is full of utter nonsense, propaganda and scaremongering. So what is there to do??? I'm just so over it.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Skyline Pigeon, 

Thanks for coming back and sharing some more of your experiences during this difficult time. We can hear how upsetting this must be for you, and what a big change this has made to your everyday life. You have mentioned that you have been trying to exercise and have been cooking a lot, which I think can be really beneficial for many during these times. We're really sorry to hear that you feel unable to talk to your friends and family about all of this, and it is understandable that this may be adding to your stress and frustration by keeping it bottled up inside. But you are always welcome to share these thoughts and feelings with us here on the forums, and don't forget that our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Service is available 24/7 on 1800 512 348 if you'd like to talk things through with one of our friendly counsellors. 
You are also welcome to check out our other threads here on the forums, or if you might find it helpful, you are also welcome to start a new thread of your own (some tips can be found on our FAQ thread here).

[PatienceBay]

Hi Skyline Pigeon

Welcome. I'm so glad you have found this forum and posted. As others have mentioned, you can always come here and have a big vent for free, 24/7.

I enjoyed reading your posts. You certainly know your own mind. Meditators and codependents practice for decades to develop this skill, but you seem to have it in spades naturally. That is something to celebrate.

You can also express your reality clearly to others. In my opinion, these two abilities show mental health and strength of character.

You've said here that you really want your life to be full of adventure, and to you, freedom is what makes life meaningful.
You also said you don't want to be treated like a child. You are the kind of person who can build up a business that lasts 42 years.

You want to make your own choices, and interaction with your fellow human beings is very important to you.

You've said the world right now is bringing up feelings of anger for you and your intuition is telling you that you WANT to feel that anger.

I would agree, that sounds like a really good idea for you.

What are some healthy ways for you to express that anger? Writing, art, music, song, movement... martial arts, breathwork, intense gardening or chores, a punching bag, a stress ball, kneading dough or mashing potatoes, kicking a footy, calling beyond blue and screaming it out... Can you even buy some cheap crockery and smash it in your backyard? 😉

Whatever works.

To shift the topic a bit, I'm fascinated by the idea that exercise gets you angrier. Can you tell us more about that?

I also really liked the way you mentioned your chemo as just another element of your life, along with all the other stuff -- freedom, risk, personal responsibility, your business, your cooking, your family and partner, and all the rest of it.... You sound like you might have some experience with resilience, Skyline Pigeon.

Finally, I really appreciated your sense of humour even amongst all this challenge and frustration. A mark of true courage and wisdom in my opinion.

Overall, I got a lot out of your posts. Thank you.

I really hope I'll hear more from you on here in future, Skyline Pigeon.

[PatienceBay]

dw74,

I hadn't heard 'Beauty of Grey' before and it touched me. Thank you.

[quince]

@Skyline Pigeon - Really feeling that this is a very challenging time for you. I just wanted to share that I'm also separated from my partner at the moment - he's in NZ. I'm wanting you to know that you're not alone there, and I understand the isolation and loneliness that can come from being physically separated.

Is anyone else starting to feel moderately positive that there might be some hope on the horizon? I'm really looking forward to one day visiting my friends, seeing family interstate, and giving and receiving hugs.

Honestly though, I've had a really awful week. So many emotionally draining discussions with my partner, and living with my mum is very trying. Her emotions and feelings take up so much space, and its like walking on eggshells all the time, and leaving no space for me to deal with my own stuff.

I've been getting deeply stuck in to a heap of craft projects though, and am trying to remain hopeful that things will get better.

[quirkywords]

SkylinePigeon, like PatienceBay I too appreciate your writing and skill and the way you express your reality in an an open and honest way.

I can understand why you are over it and it must be hard when you canbt ell family friens how you really feel so they don't get down.

That shows me you have empathy .

Others have suggestions and have ask questions, I just wanted to say many are listening to you. Keep on writing here if that helps in any way but I know it helps me to here the voices of others.

[eight]

thats the friend who got me into elton john's favourite ej song