Opinion

De Leon: Battling anxiety in times of quarantine

Coach Pat de Leon

THERE is a certain aspect of the quarantine life that people rarely talk about. And that’s our mental and emotional state. Right? Obviously, we have to take care of our physical state because we are experiencing a pandemic crisis.

And the biggest challenge now is that the usual things we use to distract ourselves with like going out with friends, going to the gym or church are all of sudden unavailable to us, and we have to battle anxiety alone. Or for some, it’s explaining to the people you live with that this is something you, yourself cannot fully understand as well.

So, how do you take care of yourself now that you’re in isolation and battling these myriads of thoughts?

First, allow yourself to feel what you feel. Because the more you fake happy your way through it, the more it gets worst. But don’t keep the people around you in the dark. At least make them understand that that this is not their fault. Neither, it’s a reaction on the way they are treating you.

Second, if you’re the person who does not feel well when not surrounded with friends. Acknowledge it. Try to imitate real life with digital life. Video call someone even though it’s just three to five minutes just to bring in a fresh new voice to your environment. Physical distancing does not mean you have to be socially isolated. You’re at home not in the moon, my friend.

Third, message or constantly check up on your friends. And you don’t necessarily have to make it about their anxiety. Just really show concern to this people because the challenge now with quarantine is isolation. And the worst thing you can give to someone who’s battling with their thoughts is isolation.

Fourth, consume positive or humorous content, listen to good music, and take care of your body. Don’t underestimate the power of memes, laughter and endorphins.

It is a different world that we’re living in right now. We knew how to fight it before. We knew how to live with it in the world that we’re living back then but now things are different and we need to cope and not to fall victim with things that are going through our heads.

Stay active until our next chat!

THREAT. According to a Capitol consultant, the Cebu City Government is threatening to shut down the Cebu North Bus Terminal at the back of SM City Cebu (left) and the Cebu South Bus Terminal along N. Bacalso Ave. for operating without a business permit. The Province, which runs both terminals, maintains that it operates the facilities as a public service for passengers going to the province and vice versa. /

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