How To Live in Calgary and Area with the

COVID-19 Crisis in Isolation

With so much media attention in Calgary regarding COVID-19 and the fear running rampant in these times of crisis; it is very important to learn how to emotionally and mentally live in your community while in isolation.

Let’s look at some practical ways in which you can support yourself in isolation during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 situation.

1.       Find Normalcy

With the sudden onset of isolation, it’s important to do things that you normally would on any given day. If you used to get up and check your email, then continue getting up and checking your email. If you used to be in school and now your doing self online learning continue learning during the times you normally would have your classes. Have your meals when you normally would eat.

The biggest temptation may be to sleep in a little, eat a little more, worry about tomorrow when today has enough worries of its own, playing more video games than normal and just plain snacking on chips all day long. Normalizing your day will help your brain to normalize all of the chaos of the current unknown and you will feel more…normal.

2.       Continue with Daily Habits

Similar to finding normalcy in your daily life is to carry on with your daily habits of routine. This is everything your mother may have told you to do growing up like brushing your teeth, exercising, etc… If you are finding that you don’t have healthy daily habits then right now is a great time to think of some and begin doing them daily. Daily habits done continuously creates routine and tells our brain everything is okay which keeps the fear and anxiety down and we’ll be healthier for it in the long term. And remember, just because your in isolation doesn’t mean you can’t go outside for a breath of freshly reduced motorized air.  On a side note, if you had work colleges that you would say hi to every morning, make sure your finding a way to daily connect with them, even if it’s for a few minutes.

3.       Create Intentional Space  

Now I know you might be thinking “duh, I’m already isolated.” What I’m talking about is a two-fold approach to creating intentional space. Let’s say your living in an apartment in Tuscany or a house in Royal Oak and you are with family. It is important to have times in the day where you have developed your own time to be alone and also times where you use this opportunity of isolation to develop stronger family ties together as a family. If you just casually go thorough your day without maintaining proper boundaries there is a chance you will end up in arguments, family disagreements, sibling rivalry, and just plain tired of seeing the same face over and over again.

4.       Consider Online Counselling

No one in the Calgary NW is denying this is a very uncomfortable time, full of fear and doubt. This means there is a strong possibility that issues such as anxiety, addictions and depression are possibly going to increase. If you are even remotely recognizing that media is getting in the way of you having a healthy and productive time in isolation, then it might be time to consider online counselling with a professional counselling therapist. Your therapist will be able to provide you with strategies and tools to support your mental and emotional well being during this time of the unknown…and maybe even get to the root of some other personal issues that have been plaguing you for the last few years.

Please continue to be safe, calm and caring.