How to avoid the epidemic at home

How to avoid the epidemic at home
Lin Lu Weihua
Director of Horn Sound Counseling Center
Texas-registered psychological counselor and supervisor

Over the past month of sheltering from the epidemic at home, many people’s lifestyles have changed a lot, especially the elderly, who suddenly fell into loneliness and fear, facing invisible dangers alone, and feeling forgotten. .Parents with children in the family suddenly become deformed people with a hundred arms of gold, exhausting their physical, mental and mental energy to take care of children who can’t go to school and don’t have any outdoor activities, as well as those who have to take care of work at home, housework, and three meals a day. Meals, so I feel exhausted.Energetic young people are trapped within the four walls, energetic but without work or physical contact with friends, and feel very puzzled. 

Recognize and accept the anxiety caused by the epidemic
This global process of avoiding the epidemic at home has brought us a certain amount of stress and anxiety in our body, mind, and soul. This anxiety often makes our minds clouded with lingering haze, and we are afraid of being overwhelmed by these anxieties.Anxiety increases, our body will also produce inexplicable reactions, such as easy fatigue, getting angry, irritability, mental tension, changes in appetite, and even sleep disorders.Therefore, we are afraid of losing control and feeling helpless. 

In fact, the anxiety caused by the new coronavirus that is difficult to understand and control is inevitable. We only need to accept its existence, learn to understand the nature of anxiety and its impact, and don't refuse to deny its existence, learn to relax and change Thinking and prayer are entrusted.When we learn to regulate and reduce our anxiety, our body, mind, and soul can enter a stable state, and we will not be afraid of losing everything. 

People are not far away
The isolation of people brought about by refuge at home, even family members and relatives cannot meet, contact, and hug with opinions.People who are suspected of being infected are completely isolated, and even family members who live under the same roof cannot have any handovers.This kind of life style brings serious loneliness, so the feeling of loneliness hits head on, making people have nowhere to hide. This life style violates our innate need for group interaction. The embrace of family, relatives and friends often brings warm feelings. The feeling of being loved and accepted.These loving transfers are the source of firm support and hope for us in difficult times.However, the heart-corona virus temporarily deprives people of contact, which increases our sense of helplessness in avoiding epidemics at home. Therefore, we must persist in perseverance in this unfavorable environment. Under the possibility of passing on the virus, to pass on each other's care, let our family, relatives and friends feel our love and cherish for them through words and listening.For example, food, masks and small gifts are delivered to the door of the elderly, and some small distance activities are held, such as walking in the district separated by six feet.Pick up the phone and greet more and talk about your concerns to drive away the lingering emotions of loneliness. 

Accept the new normal with a normal heart
When evacuating the epidemic at home, we all look forward to returning to “normal” as soon as possible and returning to the stable living conditions before the emergence of COVID 19.But after living in isolation for more than a month, we have unconsciously established a new lifestyle and daily habits.In the short-term vision of no vaccine, even if the city continues to be unblocked, we may not be able to return to the previous lifestyle. Such a change will also make us feel a sense of loss, but it can flexibly fit the health protection measures and integrate into the new The social order of China is also a manifestation of mature growth.Furthermore, in the face of this global virus, I hope that we will also learn to change some of our daily habits and pay more attention to personal hygiene, so that we can get rid of bad habits when we enter the new normal, and make good habits a constant. , And reorganize our values, grasp the eternal hope, cherish the protection of nature, and devote more to the establishment of family intimacy. 

Finally, the advent of the new crown virus directly threatens our bottom line of security, but at the same time it allows us to reset our life priorities when we are forced to stop, live close to our families, pay more attention to the relationship with each other, and cherish the participation and listening that we have overlooked before. .However, the tiny virus has subverted the lives of all human beings, and most cities in the world have ceased production and normal life.At this time, we are once again aware that human technology needs incomparable advancement, but in fact we are still very small and extremely limited. The Bible says, "I want to raise my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the creation of heaven and earth." The Lord is here." Let us return to our Creator, gain the wisdom from Him, and enter the new normal after refuge from the epidemic.