Humans are social creatures, and coming through a worldwide problem like the COVID-19 pandemic means we need to band together to make this crisis as easy for our fellow human as possible.
Oh, and while we band together, we must also keep our distance from others — at least six feet, but preferably several walls away.
It’s a complicated time for the human race socially. Offering advice to help navigate some of the new challenges is Nicholas Kicior, MSEd., NCC, LPC, a doctoral level trainee psychological technician and licensed outpatient therapist at Beacon Light Behavioral Health.
For parents, the challenge becomes not just maintaining one’s own physical and mental wellbeing, but also making sure children are safe — and feel safe — during this time.
Among Kicior’s tips are to “Reiterate basic self-care and hygiene strategies such as handwashing and adhering to personal space and boundaries.”
He added, “Providing children with routines and schedules to help organize them will be helpful with keeping them focused on developmentally appropriate activities. Because children are not in school, parents should utilize resources provided by their district in reading and math to continue learning.”
He advised setting aside specific times for children to study different subjects and offered a list of educational, engaging sites for children and time: Imagine Math, FASTT Math, Scholastic Learn at Home and Reading A-Z.
Discussions of the pandemic itself should also be age-appropriate, according to Kicior.
“Recognizing that children do not need to be privy to every detail of our situation is also important,” he said. “Use language that is simple and easier to understand, omitting details that are not developmentally appropriate.
“We must understand that it is our job as adults in charge to worry about worldly events and allow children to be children; they should focus on learning and having fun,” Kicior continued. “In addition, providing for children’s social-emotional functioning is imperative. Check-in with your children’s stress levels, ask them how they are, use family time to play games, learn new things, and spend time together are all great ways to strengthen your family network.”
Social distancing — or worse, quarantines — while necessary to lessen the spread of the virus, can have mental and emotional consequences.
“Individuals in quarantine run the risk of ruminating over negative situations that could potentially lead to increased depressive moods and unhealthy, circumscribed compulsive behaviors,” Kicior explained.
He listed some tasks to help individuals use extra time in a way that will help them shift their focus and stay positive.
“Creating a schedule/routine of things to do will assist with focusing on future oriented behavior, divert attention from negative perseveration, and create a sense of accomplishment as things get done,” he said. “This is a great time to complete tasks that we all say we will get to, but never do. Identify things that you can get done in order to gain a sense of accomplishment will be helpful.”
Loneliness is a concern, too. Shifting focus from oneself to others can help, according to Kicior.
“There is no better way to improve your own mental health than to care for others,” he explained. “Writing notes, contacting friends and family by phone or other mediums, and journaling experiences are great ways of not only documenting what is happening, but to foster relationships during a much needed time.”
Look for the many local efforts to care for the community, he suggests.
“Staying active with ways to provide food and resources to your neighbors helps to deposit emotional dollars into yours and others’ mental health bank account. Writing letters, drawing pictures, or sending resources to retirement homes, veterans, hospitals, and others in need are all great ways to stay connected to the world around even though they may not be physically next to you.”
