HJBR May/Jun 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  MAY / JUN 2020 41 the community (and country) at large, how people will behave, what else is coming, if you will run out of toilet paper, etc. As no one really knows the answers to these questions, searching for answers online will not help. It will just leave you feeling drained, exhausted, overwhelmed, and anxious. When you are caught up in such a vicious circle, focus on things you can actually control. These include taking deep breaths, washing your hands of- ten, avoiding touching your face, eyes, and mouth, staying home (especially if you are sick), avoiding unnecessary travel, getting plenty of sleep and water, and following other recommendations fromhealth professionals. Always remember that while you cannot con- trol the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in your city, you can take steps to reduce your own risk of the disease. PLANWHAT YOU CAN It is perfectly natural to be concerned if your kids have to stay at home for a long period, if someone you love gets sick, or if you have to self-quarantine. However, being proactive can help alleviate some anxiety. You have to make a plan. Start with writing down specific worries you have. Then, as scary as it sounds, you have to jot down all the pos- sible solutions. Make a list of solutions. This is just an exercise, so don’t get too hung up on finding the perfect solution to your prob- lem. Write down whatever comes to mind. Focus on concrete actions and things you can change. After you have evaluated and written down all of the possible options, chalk up a plan or strategy, and set it aside. Take a nap and resist the urge to pick it back up unless your circumstances require you to do so. PHYSICAL ISOLATION SHOULDN’T MEAN SOCIAL ISOLATION While everyone is advising social distanc- ing, it shouldn’t come at the cost of social isolation. After all, humans are social ani- mals (or so we have been led to believe). We crave connection. Loneliness and isolation can exacerbate depression and anxiety, and adversely impact your health. It is vital to stay connected with one another to some degree so that you can reach out for support when needed. If you tend to isolate yourself under depression, you can also schedule a regular chat, phone, or skype calls to neu- tralize that tendency. Moreover, try video chats. When in-person contact is limited, face-to-face video chat can act as a vitamin for mental wellbeing, easing your stress and anxiety. Social media can also prove quite beneficial. TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND AND BODY Now that nature has given you some down-time, utilize it to take care of your mind and body. Be kind to yourself. You are not alone, almost everyone else in the entire world is feeling the same. Try to maintain a healthy routine. Do your best to stick to your regular routine. Youmay not be able to head out to your favorite stores, but you can stick to the sleep routine, work schedule, teach your kids a thing or two, make something unique and amusing, and finish that book you started years ago. And the list goes on. There are somany activities to keep you busy that youmay never have had time for. Don’t sit idle. If possible, you should also try get- ting some fresh air and sunshine. Nature also relieves stress and keeps you calm. HELP OTHERS It is important to remember that we are all in this together. Helping others not only makes a difference in the community, but also makes us happier. Reach out to the dis- abled and elderly people in your neighbor- hood. Perhaps they need help with grocer- ies. You can always leave packages at their doorstep to avoid direct physical contact. You can also donate to food banks and other charities that are distributing food packag- es, as panic buying has drastically reduced food supplies. At the same time, if you have friends or family who are distressed, help themget accurate information and a healthy perspective on the overall situation. All things considered, this is not the first crisis the world has seen, and it won’t be the last. It is crucial to focus on staying positive and helping each other overcome it. Stay safe! n Rusty Phillips, LCSW earned a BA in sociology from Louisiana State University, and MSW from Louisiana State University School of Social Work. As a licensed clinical social worker, he heads behavioral health activities for Veuleman, LLC. He was the director of clinical services for Townsend Treatment Centers’ nine locations throughout Louisiana. For nearly 20 years, Rusty has worked in healthcare administration with an incredible amount of responsibilities. His areas of expertise include mental health, addiction treatment, clini- cal supervision and excellence, and team building. Rusty Phillips, LCSW The Veuleman Group