Lived Experience Forum

[Zed1]

Hi, 

I would like to start an open forum for everyone to offer their top tips for coping with the COVID restrictions, possible isolation, job loss, family distancing, social distancing and many other things COVID has bought to our attention.

COVID has changed the way we live and i have found online is the best way to reach the masses during this time.


What are your top tips to offer to others experiencing COVID anxiety?

[Judi9877]

Hi @Zed1  Nice to meet you! Thanks for making this a discussion post. I'm a Community Guide here who has several mental illnesses including anxiety which results in panic attacks. I'm in Melbourne which is in stage 4 lockdown at the moment and I'm finding it hard to deal with at times.

Some things I'm doing to help me with my anxiety are:

- Getting crafty by doing some knitting, cross stitch and crochet. I find that these crafts help ease my anxiety by having something to focus on instead of the news around coronavirus information and it gives me a chance to relax. I like using different colours and this helps me get creative as well. I post on the Craft Corner thread if you want to see what I've done or join in.

- I write in my journal about what's going on as it helps me to get things out of my head and down on paper where I can see the issues and then reflect back on them or assist in problem solving with either my mental health support staff or just myself in general. 

- Listening to music on my iPods and iPhone also helps to distract me.

- watching movies that I have on DVD is a great distraction

- I follow sport such as AFL, NRL, netball and tennis so watching that on tv is great for me when things are on
- I think limiting how much I follow and listen to news and reports on the issue is a help for me as I have several people in my life who are obsessed with watching the news conferences whenever the Victorian Premier has his say and that can cause my anxiety to increase. I therefore make sure only to spend a small time each day getting the most important information each day such as on a news feed and leaving it at that. 
- Doing some form of exercise is also important such as going for a walk or even just sitting outside and listening to nature or the world go by can be beneficial as well for mental health as well as a form of distraction. 
- Coming on the forums also helps as I get to talk to others about different topics and interests.

I hope these ideas help. I look forward to following along with this discussion post!

Judi9877☺️

[Kess55]

@Zed1 Great idea starting this thread...and @Judi9877 you have a great list! I have heard from a lot of people that knitting is really theraputic. I tried it once but kept dropping stitches and ended up with a blanket instead of a scarf    I also find journalling really helpful for processing my worries!

I have played around with watercolours before but am going to give arcrylic painting a go this weekend to keep my mind off things. I also like to get outside and take the dogs for a walk, and keep moving as much as I can.

I have been finding watching films or TV series with subtitles can really make me focus on what I am watching and keep me from thinking about what is going on in the world. I''ve been enjoying some Korean and Nordic crime / drama on Netflix, and I hear SBS on demand has a really incredible selection too! 

Something that I think has been most helpful for me this round of isolation is completely avoiding alcohol. I would usually have a few drinks each night on the weekends out of boredom / habit but it would always leave me feeling incredibly anxious the following day. 

Hope everyone is taking care and staying as well as they can during this time. 

[nashy]

Hey @Zed1  I love this thread - thanks heaps for starting it. I have found looking into practices that focus on the "now", if you will. Such as Tibetan Buddhism or Mindfulness, it's super empowering and helps to kind of move with each crashing COVID wave 🙂 We also have a blog piece here that has been useful to use reflectively. How are you travelling with it today? Keen to hear your updates. 

[Zed1]

Thank you to all who replied.

Some really great helpful tips on how everyone is managing through this time.

I hope you are all well and i am always happy for a chat.

I hope some people from the community  can take on some of the tips given.

[Bezak482]

@Zed1great thread, too many awesome ideas already!

I find getting out in nature - walking, looking at the birds and trees, listening to the sounds and breathing in the fresh air makes me feel alright during COVID - Stage 3 restrictions here.

[Aniela]

@Zed Great Idea starting this!!! So many people need ideas around this right now.

I write a list of pleasurable activities I could do. Then I at least need to pick 1 to do each day NO MATTER how I feel. Here is my list

Listening to Music
Dancing
Singing
Reading a novel
Seaching youtube for stand up comedy

Pick a topic to learn about/google for the day

Go for a walk

Yoga
Stretching
Meditation
Video chatting as much as I can

Crack the code puzzles
Searching pinterest for positive and spiritual quotes

Write a short story 

Games on my phone

This is also a list of 176 Adult Pleasurable Activities. Obviously a lot we can't do due to lockdown. It does stimulate ideas for me though. 

https://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/er_handout_8.html

Adult Pleasant Events Schedule

1.     Soaking in the bathtub
2.     Planning my career
3.     Getting out of (paying on) debt
4.     Collecting things (coins, shells, etc.)
5.     Going on vacation
6.     Thinking how it will be when I finish school
7.     Recycling old items
8.     Going on a date
9.     Relaxing
10.    Going to a movie in the middle of the week
11.    Jogging, walking
12.    Thinking I have done a full day's work
13.    Listening to music
14.    Recalling past parties
15.    Buying household gadgets
16.    Lying in the sun
17.    Planning a career change
18.    Laughing
19.    Thinking about my past trips
20.    Listening to others
21.    Reading magazines or newspapers
22.    Hobbies (stamp collecting, model building, etc.)
23.    Spending an evening with good friends
24.    Planning a day's activities
25.    Meeting new people
26.    Remembering beautiful scenery
27.    Saving money
28.    Gambling
29.    Going home from work
30.    Eating
31.    Practicing karate, judo, yoga
32.    Thinking about retirement
33.    Repairing things around the house
34.    Working on my car (bicycle)
35.    Remembering the words and deeds of loving people
36.    Wearing sexy clothes
37.    Having quiet evenings
38.    Taking care of my plants
39.    Buying, selling stock
40.    Going swimming
41.    Doodling
42.    Exercising
43.    Collecting old things
44.    Going to a party
45.    Thinking about buying things
46.    Playing golf
47.    Playing soccer
48.    Flying kites
49.    Having discussions with friends
50.    Having family get-togethers
51.    Riding a motorbike
52.    Sex
53.    Running a track
54.    Going camping
55.    Singing around the house
56.    Arranging flowers
57.    Practicing religion (going to church, group praying, etc.)
58.    Losing weight
59.    Going to the beach
60.    Thinking I'm an OK person
61.    A day with nothing to do
62.    Having class reunions
63.    Going skating
64.    Going sail boating
65.    Traveling abroad or in the United States
66.    Painting
67.    Doing something spontaneously
68.    Doing needlepoint, crewel, etc.
69.    Sleeping
70.    Driving
71.    Entertaining
72.    Going to clubs (garden, Parents without Partners, etc.)
73.    Thinking about getting married
74.    Going hunting
75.    Singing with groups
76.    Flirting
77.    Playing musical instruments
78.    Doing arts and crafts
79.    Making a gift for someone
80.    Buying records
81.    Watching boxing, wrestling
82.    Planning parties
83.    Cooking
84.    Going hiking
85.    Writing books (poems, articles)
86.    Sewing
87.    Buying clothes
88.    Going out to dinner
89.    Working
90.    Discussing books
91.    Sightseeing
92.    Gardening
93.    Going to the beauty parlor
94.    Early morning coffee and newspaper
95.    Playing tennis
96.    Kissing
97.    Watching my children (play)
98.    Thinking I have a lot more going for me than most people
99.    Going to plays and concerts
100.   Daydreaming
101.   Planning to go to school
102.   Thinking about sex
103.   Going for a drive
104.   Listening to a stereo
105.   Refinishing furniture
106.   Watching TV
107.   Making lists of tasks
108.   Going bike riding
109.   Walks in the woods (or at the waterfront)
110.   Buying gifts
111.   Traveling to national parks
112.   Completing a task
113.   Collecting shells
114.   Going to a spectator sport (auto racing, horse racing)
115.   Eating gooey, fattening foods
116.   Teaching
117.   Photography
118.   Going fishing
119.   Thinking about pleasant events
120.   Staying on a diet
121.   Playing with animals
122.   Flying a plane
123.   Reading fiction
124.   Acting
125.   Being alone
126.   Writing diary entries or letters
127.   Cleaning
128.   Reading nonfiction
129.   Taking children places
130.   Dancing
131.   Going on a picnic
132.   Thinking "I did that pretty well" after doing something
133.   Meditating
134.   Playing volleyball
135.   Having lunch with a friend
136.   Going to the mountains
137.   Thinking about having a family
138.   Thoughts about happy moments in my childhood
139.   Splurging
140.   Playing cards
141.   Solving riddles mentally
142.   Having a political discussion
143.   Playing softball
144.   Seeing and/or showing photos or slides
145.   Playing guitar
146.   Knitting
147.   Doing crossword puzzles
148.   Shooting pool
149.   Dressing up and looking nice
150.   Reflecting on how I've improved
151.   Buying things for myself (perfume, golf balls, etc.)
152.   Talking on the phone
153.   Going to museums
154.   Thinking religious thoughts
155.   Lighting candles
156.   Listening to the radio
157.   Getting a massage
158.   Saying "I love you"
159.   Thinking about my good qualities
160.   Buying books
161.   Taking a sauna or a steam bath
162.   Going skiing
163.   White-water canoeing
164.   Going bowling
165.   Doing woodworking
166.   Fantasizing about the future
167.   Taking ballet, tap dancing
168.   Debating
169.   Sitting in a sidewalk cafe
170.   Having an aquarium
171.   Erotica (sex books, movies)
172.   Going horseback riding
173.   Thinking about becoming active in the community
174.   Doing something new
175.   Making jigsaw puzzles
176.   Thinking I'm a person who can cope
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[Judi9877]

Wow @Aniela ! What a great list and I totally love your idea of writing down things you could do and then selecting one that you have to do each day. Another brilliant idea and one that I think I might choose to adopt, especially in this period of life that is covid-19. I also think it might be helpful in general for all people with mental health as well so well done! 

How are you going @Zed1 @Bezak482 @Kess55 @Aniela and all forum members here with the covid-19 anxiety? For me, I'm at uni so some of my covid-19 anxiety has been redirected to studying in the form of listening to lectures and doing online things, as well as assessment tasks. I've also been listening to new music on Apple Music including downloading the new Taylor Swift album Folklore and doing some knitting. Feel free to keep posting as I find this thread to be very interesting and helpful!

Stay safe!

Judi9877

[Kess55]

Thanks @Judi9877 for checking in! Sounds like you have some good activities to redirect your anxiety. 

Thank you @Aniela for sharing such a great list and the idea for writing things down! I may have to try that too. I tend to write out some goals / key activities for the week on a Monday but I lose momentum by Wednesday or Thursday so revisiting this daily might help.

My anxiety has definitely been up this week and not sleeping well - I  think in anticipation of restrictions lifting (or not) here in Vic. 

One of my lockdown activities has been starting to work through the DBT Skills Workbook. I had grand plans at the beginning to create my own card for each of the skills and incorporate it into a watercolour painting project. I haven't got very far but I have made a start at least! 

I am also intending on watching some Bob Ross paint alongs on YouTube in the evenings when I am feeling most anxious!

Hope everyone else is hanging in there and doing OK.