Tips to keep in mind when socializing (six feet apart) and for keeping your wellbeing in check
With COVID-19 dragging on through our school year and even summer break, some of us have undoubtedly grown restless from the isolation and lack of activities to do while at home. Many of us might have started to venture out and socialize with other people, go to public places such as the mall, or even throw pool parties in our own backyards. Remember that our frontline workers are still risking their own health and safety, while being underfunded, to fight against the virus. Tarrant County alone has 17,757 cases and 268 fatalities, the fourth highest out of all 253 counties in Texas. We should all do our best in order to fulfill our part in the fight against the disease, and we are here to give you reminders and tips in order to do just that.
It is also important to keep track of your mental health and wellbeing, especially now that social interactions have decreased dramatically. In the midst of a time where tragedy and uncertainty runs rampant, many of us now find ourselves riddled with anxiety and a sense of helplessness. We can no longer seek solace in outlets that involve us interacting with others, and are more than likely confined into the walls of our own shelters. It is completely okay to feel this way, and we are here to help you through that. Never think that you are alone and a prisoner to your thoughts, not when you have friends and family just a conversation away. If you ever need assistance or just someone to talk to, connect with us or any of our staff and student representatives, and we'd love to keep you company. We will also be offering suggestions as to how you can always keep yourself in check and how to avoid declining mental health, especially in such uncertain times.
“To protect yourself and others against COVID-19, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water. If you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, make sure you use and store it carefully.” -World Health Organization
Let's start with some advice on how to protect yourself and others during the pandemic.
Simple Steps to Protect and Stop Spread
The best way to stop the spread of the virus, as well as protect yourself and loved ones, is to practice and maintain good hygienic practices and social distancing. Though it may seem repetitive at this point, it still slips from our mind from time to time and may have disastrous consequences if ignored.
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene: Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the used tissue immediately after in order to avoid contamination. Droplets spread the virus, and by following good respiratory hygiene, you help protect yourself and the people around you from contracting the virus.
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water: Washing your hands or sanitizing them periodically kills viruses that may be on your hands. If you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, make sure that you use and store it carefully. Apply only a coin-sized amount onto the palm of your hand as it is not necessary to use an excessive amount. Remember that washing your hands with soap and water is also effective against COVID-19.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth: Your hands come in contact with many surfaces throughout the day and may become contaminated. The virus can then enter through your body if your hands graze, rub, or even briefly tap against your eyes, nose, and mouth.
If you need to leave the house, wear a mask in order to avoid infecting/contracting the virus from others and remain at least 3-6+ ft. apart: When someone coughs, sneezes, or even speaks, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth that may contain the virus. If you are too close, or are not wearing a mask, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if they also have the disease.
These are just the most basic ways to help stop the spread of the virus. It is important to provide the reasoning behind these directions, in order for there to be deeper understanding in following the protocols. We encourage you to not only engage in these practices yourself, but invite your friends and family to do so as well.
Making Your Wellbeing a Top Priority
It is more important now than ever for us to keep track of our mental health and make sure that we are in a good place both mentally and emotionally. The isolation that is being imposed by quarantine leaves us cut off from the rest of the world and can make us feel helpless as certain events come to pass. There are simple steps you can take in order to help your mental health, and keep others in your thoughts as well.
Don't sleep in (too much) and establish a routine: While it may be tempting to sleep through the mornings and play video games late into the night, an effort should be made to go to bed at a reasonable time and get 7-9 hours of sleep. Sleeping too much can be both a symptom and a trigger for depression, and waking up earlier in the day helps establish a routine and motivates us to do more in a day. Routines will stave off complacency and even brings opportunities for improvements and creative ideas into daily things, keeping both our minds and bodies active.
Try something new, or reinvest in an old hobby/interest: We can turn this excess amount of time into something much more positive, such as exploring our own personal interests and passions without the time constraints for homework, school activities, or club related competitions. You don't have to be good at whatever you choose to do, that's the beauty of time. You have the luxury to choose.
Exercise either mentally or physically: Try to keep your mind from becoming idle, always engage it in order to keep it active. In order to exercise your mind, do something that requires logical or creative thinking. Practice an hour for the SAT/ACT, whether it be English or Math. Create an art piece portraying your perception on the events going on. Write a blog post on this website about something that is important to you, or read through other's and leave your own comment to add to the discussion. Physical exercise is also beneficial, with the brain releasing a string of chemicals that not only help improve perception, attention, and motivation, but also helps protect and repairs neurons from degeneration.
Most importantly, reach out if you are struggling: It is easy to be encompassed with this feeling of loneliness. Your anxiety might be exemplified with the air of uncertainty surrounding the virus as well as the chaos of events that have unfolded at a rapid rate this year. Reach out to someone, anyone. Consider looking into remote counseling, but always make sure to tell someone. Your friends and family care about you. We care about you. If nothing else, please contact us through our Instagram or email, which we have provided on the home page. You are never alone, and if you ever feel like you are drowning in your thoughts, just reach out your hand to us, and we will help you.
It is undoubtedly a difficult time for many of us, but this too will come to pass, and we will get through it together.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Understand how mental health is affected by quarantine: https://www.verywellmind.com/protect-your-mental-health-during-quarantine-4799766
Coping with stress during the outbreak: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdf?sfvrsn=9845bc3a_8
Helping children cope with stress during the outbreak: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2
Addressing human rights as key to the COVID-19 response: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/addressing-human-rights-as-key-to-the-covid-19-response
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