Coronavirus: Feel like you are losing control?

 The pain and suffering are real.

It is difficult to imagine the scope of the pain and suffering in the world today, as the pandemic ravages the world. People are losing their loved ones in a terrible way. The COVID-19 pneumonia is not discriminating, and the suffering does not stop at the gates of exclusive communities or at the cardboard shantytowns.

According to World-O-Meter, there are currently 1,521,912 cases of COVID-19 and 88,653 deaths. With a global population of 7.53 billion (2017), that means 0.019 percent of the world is suffering from the disease. But there is a more insidious suffering going on.

 The fear of uncertainty is the bigger enemy.

Billions of people are worried, as they are being forced to make drastic changes in their lives. There is a level of uncertainty on a societal level that I have never seen in my lifetime. For some people, that is leading to anxiety and in extreme cases, panic. Entire regions and entire industries are getting shut down. Governments and authorities are making new mandates for people to follow, but people are desperately seeking answers (and comfort).

What can we do to regain a sense of control?

To answer this question, I will share my advice based on my own research and experiences. It doesn't matter if this virus is man-made or comes from a dog, hog, bat, or cat. What matters is how we deal with the cards we are dealt. (How we make the most of our situations.)

1) Protect Our Health

Face it. We are at WAR. The new strain of Coronavirus targets our immune systems. Our best defense is to make sure our immune systems are strong. If we can't beat COVID-19, then we can't be of help to anyone. if our immune system is weak, we will be more susceptible to other diseases, and right now, even the common cold will give you an unreasonable level of fear and anxiety.

a) Diet

We need to make smarter choices in the food we buy. Choose food with higher nutritional value, and avoid sugary, starchy foods. Basically, follow the advice and guidelines you have been taught since elementary school. Give your immune system a fighting chance. It might be harder to access fresh produce these days. But the people who have planted vegetable gardens are feeling pretty fortunate. it is important to get Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc are especially important to keep your immune system healthy. Find healthy ways to reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure, as these conditions may reduce your ability to fight the pneumonia.

b) Exercise

Even if we are in lock down, there are exercises we can do in our homes. Create an exercise regimen, a schedule and set some goals. If you can take regular walks outside, while practicing social distancing, do so. Getting fresh air and getting some sun on your skin is important for good health. In many areas, the pandemic has resulted in an obvious reduction in pollution levels. Exercise also helps to reduce anxiety levels.

c) Sleep

One thing that will lower our immune systems is the lack of sleep. I know many people who are having difficulty sleeping. The loss of jobs, the loss of business, the loss of livelihoods, or the loss of loved ones puts people in stressful situations, making it difficult to sleep. No matter what we are facing, we need to find ways to calm ourselves and reduce stress and anxiety, or we will not be able to face our problems very well. Try warm milk, tummy rubs, or a good book. Couples may consider intimate activities to induce physical exhaustion.

2) Protect Our Families, Friends, Communities

After we have taken step to protect ourselves, we can start focusing on how we take care of our families. Educate your loved ones on how to stay healthy and how to be responsible in their lives, and set up the best practices for them. Make sure children are very aware of the seriousness of the situation and teach them the possible consequences of taking things for granted. After getting your families taken care of, people can shift their focus to friends and communities, sharing their best practices and perhaps even sharing resources, such as fresh vegetables from your garden. It is helpful to expand the best practices on a community-wide level, as this will make the spread of the virus more difficult in your community. We may not be able to change national or global policies, but we can make a difference for our communities during times of crisis.

3) Protect Our Livelihoods

Everyone needs a livelihood, or way to sustain themselves. During a global crisis like this, stress and anxiety may reduce our effectiveness in our jobs. We may be distracted from our responsibilities. We should take our jobs seriously, and have gratitude for having them, as many people are losing their employment and livelihoods. Many have or will be losing their jobs in the near future. So, it is important to seek any and all resources available for you and your family during this time of crisis. it may also be wise to seek a different career path. If you are in an industry that is suffering or disappearing, it would be good to seek out a career path that better fits our changing economy. If you have free time, learn new online skills or go back to school through e-learning. Learning a new language could also be helpful. Also, it's never too late to grow a vegetable garden or orchard.

4) Stay Connected and Informed

During this time of forced isolation, it is important to avoid the negative psychological effects of isolation. Isolation can lead to depression and irrational, hurtful choices. Being uninformed can lead to unproductive choices.

a) Staying Connected

Cherish the extra time you have with your family. Communicate more frequently and help everyone share their feelings, while encouraging them. I have seen people doing more online video chats to stay in touch with friends and family. I think it's a great idea. Keep yourself connected with a reliable Internet connection and working computer or tablet. I personally don't like using video chat on a smart phone, as the small screen good for my eyes. You can also consider reaching out to people who are alone to let them know that they are in your thoughts.

b) Staying Informed

After you take care of all the important responsibilities and show appreciation for the people in your life, there is one more thing that is crucial for our survival of this pandemic. We need to stay informed and keep an open mind. As human beings, we can't lose our critical thinking abilities. Stay informed and don't be afraid to question what we see or read. It is not wrong to question what we are told. Giving up our right to question what we our told is giving up our right to choose what is best for us and our families. Not good for us, but preferred by dictators and fascists. To protect our health and well-being, seek answers from multiple sources and use rational thinking to make beneficial decisions in our lives.

Blessings, prayers and best wishes for everyone.