6 Ways to be Positive during the Coronavirus Crisis

The outbreak of coronavirus has drastically changed all our lives by making us home-bound, and it would be an understatement to say that these are difficult times for all of us, as we hear about the proliferation of Covid-19 from all over the world. Anywhere we look, TV, social media, Whatsapp, even video calls with friends and family deliver some intel on the Covid situation, the relevance of some information more questionable than others! With this bombardment of negative information and so much uncertainty, it is becoming normal for all of us to feel scared, panicked, anxious, and stressed.

Covid-19 has definitely entailed negative outcomes, fear, and a staggering economy; but it also has a silver lining. It has given us an opportunity to save the world by staying on our couch, which might seem like an elaborate campaign for Netflix, but it is funnily true enough!

After 70 days of lockdown there is one thing that all of us know that while Netflix, Amazon Prime, and all other distractions have been instrumental, we need to mind our mind to not let the panic set in. While we can easily track the rising number of corona cases around us, but we cannot track the causalities from panic, anxiety attacks, stress levels, and mental health distress. If we could, we would see the numbers are much higher and choose to make positivity a priority. Today, I am going to talk about how to focus and keep a positive outlook while dealing with the pandemic.

• An opportunity in disguise – Remember that book you always wanted to read? the course you wanted to complete? and that friend you have been meaning to call for months?

And there was just never enough time. This is an opportunity to finally do all the things you never had the time for before. Choose a hobby or go back to an old one.

• Do activities with your kids – If you can have kids, do fun activities with your kids. It does not just help you build that special bond with your child, but activities like painting and storytelling can be very therapeutic for you as well.

• Opt for a healthier lifestyle – On every 1^st of January, all of us make a list of resolution, which is usually topped with choosing a healthy lifestyle. Every 10^th of January, we throw it out saying we do not have the time! 2020 gives you an opportunity to actually fulfill this particular resolution. Since you anyways cannot eat out, start eating cleaner and healthier, and start working out a little every day. Trust me it makes a difference in how you feel.

• Limit your news intake – Let us be honest, every time you refresh the browser, log in to your social media handle, or even talk to your friends or family, there will be some content around coronavirus. While it seems normal to stay updated with the rising numbers and learn the danger of coronavirus, spending every waking hour around such content can be scary and exhaustive. Instead, opt for one news source and dedicate only a set amount of time each day on that.

• Consume positive and funny content – Filter out your social media with only posts that make you feel happy and positive. Watch relaxing videos, instead of surrounding yourself with a feed that will leave you anxious and stressed.

All Harry Potter fans can finally relate to what Dumbledore meant when he said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Allow happiness to trickle through to you during these precarious times, one video at a time!

• Change your routine – End your days, every day, with positive acknowledgment and gratitude for everything you have accomplished, learned or are grateful for. It is going to help tackle negative energy and thoughts, and help you understand that not everything is sad or negative.

As the famous quote goes, it is important to remember that “This too Shall Pass”. We will all recover from Covid and so will the economy; then these 2 months will be remembered as the time when we all cooked delicacies every day and found the time to spend with our loved ones. Until then, let’s not lose sight of our priorities and consider the lockdown as a ‘time-out’ for a generation that just never had enough time before.