How I am staying sane during COVID -19

I am an outdoorsy person, and I don’t like to be inside. I am also optimistic, and I try and see the glass as half full. This Corona has been driving me CRAZY. I have been trying to stay sane before I go insane. I have managed multiple ways to keep myself busy during this pandemic.

I believe Self Care is essential During this time, I learned a lot about myself and what drives me and what I am interested in. I noticed if I don’t keep myself busy with little things, I get in a panic mode. I need to continuously be moving some part of my body. Even if it’s just my fingers, something needs to be moving.

Some people call me a ‘squirrel’ and some people call me a ‘bunny’ as I’m always moving and have energy. When I was younger, while eating dinner I would always be peeling off the wooden mats onto the table. My hands can’t sit still!

Never have I ever imagined a BIG worldwide pandemic like this! It has taught me, that tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone, and we should all live life in the moment today.

I have been eating, rollerblading, drawing pictures, dancing, being creative, and playing outside.. by myself. I have gone on virtual dates, I’ve created a beach, and listened to lots of music and done family zoom calls and face-timed my friends, and don’t forget watched LOTS of Netflix. I have been playing the piano, trying to teach myself old songs, I created Zumba dances and been trying to do something new or productive each and every day.

For the past 5 years or so, I haven’t really been a tv watcher. I don’t really watch tv unless it is a movie. It’s so easy to just sit on the couch and watch Netflix all day, but I have self-control. I only watch Netflix after 8:00 pm. I don’t watch it before then, as I try and stay productive throughout the day.

Many people say they keep eating and eating. For me, I keep snacking on fruits, like strawberries and Grapes. We have chips and other foods, but once I grab a handful I usually don’t eat anymore of those for the day. It’s funny because the more I am home, the more and more I open the fridge and the cupboards every single time thinking something has changed, but I don’t end up taking anything.

At first, when I was going grocery shopping, I would wear a mask and gloves. Now that everyone has gotten used to this, I wear masks when I go to a big place, but no mask if I am just going outside. This pandemic got me into people watching. When my mom goes to the grocery store, I usually sit in the car and wait for her. I just watch people walk past me with their gloves and masks. Looking at all these people wearing masks is very interesting. I've seen people touch carts, open doors, and then touch their faces all with their gloves. Some people sanitize their gloves instead of washing their hands. What's the point of wearing gloves, if you are not taking any precautions? I find it very rude, that people would take off their gloves and dash them onto the floor. That is disrespectful! I don't know who these people think they are, and who is going to pick it up for them.

One tip I would give to you reading this would be: Don’t deny your feelings. Everyone distresses a different way and everyone has different coping skills. No one is the same. It is important to find a way to cope with your anxiety and try to express your feelings, and get help if you need it.