3 Tips on How to Adjust to the “New Normal” During the Corona Virus (COVID-19)

After weeks of news overload and discouraging statistics reflecting the impact of the Corona Virus, I want to understand and help my community understand how we might live and find meaning as we wait for an effective COVID-19 vaccine or treatment. As a licensed psychologist, here are my immediate thoughts:

1. Continue operating out of a place of flexibility in your daily life. There is a definite sense of grief and loss as we have given up many of our traditions, relationships, and general ways of living. Typically, an individual can spend at least a year grieving after a major loss as they are passing through various anniversaries, life events, etc. that remind them of their different existence. I believe that the losses and changes that we are experiencing as a result of COVID-19 will be similar. Are there other 

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        workable solutions for your situation? Is there someone you can          ask for help? If you find yourself worrying about something                specifically (non-COVID), will that worry still be important 5               years from now?

    2. Dedicate regular time for relaxation. Relaxation and rest are              important, but even more so now as the stress of our daily lives           is reaching a new high. What are the advantages of relaxation?
        It can help you to feel more “grounded”. When calm, we can                make better decisions. The relaxed mental state will allow you to
        be more tolerant, appreciative, and compassionate towards
        yourself and others. Lastly, relaxation can support physical
        health and wellness. Expert tip- be sure that the activity you
        choose really is relaxing, and not just numbing or
        distracting/avoiding.
     
   3. Consume less news and social media information/entertainment
       related to COVID-19 (and related politics!!). How do you find the
       balance between staying informed while not being consumed?
       Personally I know that I have been reading or watching more
       COVID-19 related news and social media updates relative to the
      general news I used to consume in the pre-COVID 19 world. I              think that this is an important action step to consider because
      too much focus on COVID-19 news can interfere with finding calm
      for ourselves and our loved ones and hinder our abilities to move
      forward and find a new sense of “normal.” I think it’s important to
      be thinking about these things and to be discussing what we hope 
      for the “new normal,” and what we need to get “there”- that is
      within our control. Here’s a helpful article by respected cognitive
      behavioral psychologist and author Dr. Robert Leahy (New York-
      Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center) with additional
      suggestions on how to adjust to “the new normal.” 

        <3 Be well!
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          For more information or to schedule an appointment with
          Dr. Soo Hoo, you can call or email.