How to stay positive during the coronavirus outbreak

It’s hard to be optimistic when the news is all doom and gloom especially since the outbreak of the coronavirus. It’s true, this virus is capable of causing severe illness and even death, and long term changes on how we live and work is inevitable. Local and national news seem to only focus on those calamities, it’s no wonder we have a hard time focusing on anything else.

Obviously, there are things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak to protect yourself and your loved ones. But you don’t need to know every detail or become an covonavirus expert. Instead, focus on the positive.  Here are some ways you can make this COVID -19 pandemic a positive and more productive experience for you and your family.

1. Limit your media intake. Limit your media intake of listening and watching the same grim stories. Instead, spend just a few minutes listening to your local news.
2. Watch a funny show. If you must watch something, watch something that will make you laugh. My husband and I have been watching a few episodes of The Andy Griffith Show before bed.
3. Look after your neighbors. You may be at low risk from the virus, but it may not be the same for your elderly neighbors or those with compromised immune systems. They may not be able to go out or much at all. Email, call or check in on them of course, while keeping six feet apart. You may be the only person they’ve seen or heard from in a while since the pandemic. They’d be glad to hear from you.
4. Send a card in the mail. Unfortunately, we may not be able to drop in on our loved ones with some fresh baked goodies. Instead you can send them a card in the mail. This can be a huge pick-me-up- especially to the elderly who are living in nursing homes. Many facilities have closed their doors to all visitors, making residents feel even more isolated.
5. Take advantage of the new found time. May of us lost our jobs, instead of wallowing, think of the opportunity you have to do things you had no time for. Learn something new. Exercise. Take a walk. Read. You get the idea.
6. Practice random acts of kindness. Your kindness doesn’t require a monetary outlay. There are countless stories of people helping others and bringing joy to strangers at this time. Some people are waking up to find surprise drawings on their driveways. Many want to make sure healthcare workers know how much they’re appreciated, the staff at the University of New Mexico Hospital left work to find messages saying, ‘If you are leaving, thank you for what you did, rest up’ and ‘Thanks for showing up and doing your best.’

Such nice gesture during this time of uncertainty. While tough times like this bring out the worst in some people, more people are proving it can bring out the best in them. Keep positive and march forward with determination and hope. Stay safe, care for yourself, your loved ones and your neighbors. Together, we’ll get through this.