Staying positive during Spain’s Coronavirus isolation period

STAYING POSITIVE DURING SPAIN’S CORONAVIRUS ISOLATION PERIOD

WHEN the news is all doom and gloom. as it has been since the outbreak of the coronavirus, it’s hard for even the most optimistic among us to stay positive. It’s true that we need to take this virus seriously. It’s capable of causing severe illness, death, and drastic long-term changes to how we live and work. It could even cripple the economy. It’s easy to stay focused on those calamities as they seem to be the only topics covered on the news.

But those thoughts would be counterproductive. Obviously, there are things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak to protect yourself and those around you, but you do not need to become a COVID-19 expert, nor do you need to hear about every unpleasant detail from dawn until bedtime.

Instead, focus on the positive so that you have the energy and resolve needed to weather this storm.

Here are some things you can do:

Limit your intake. You could watch 24-hour news channels, listen to dire warnings on the radio, or visit countless websites and be bombarded with the angst of the moment. Instead, choose a single news source and decide how much limited time you’ll spend with it each day. Then stick to your plan.

Watch a funny video. Thanks to the huge popularity of YouTube, there are thousands of videos that can help you take your mind off current events, if only for three minutes at a time. Start to bookmark the funniest among them so you can return for a repeat viewing whenever things feel gloomy.

Look after your neighbours. You may be at low risk of severe consequences from the virus, but it may not be the same for your neighbours whose immune systems are compromised. The act of checking in on them will not only make them feel good, but it will also make you feel good and remind you that there are others for whom this predicament is even more stressful.

Take advantage of found time. Read a book, listen to music, make an isolation playlist or use the time to clear out your wardrobe. Now may be the perfect chance to finally practice yoga or meditation, ease your mind and relax. As we are limited to shopping trips, why not try and use everything in your cupboards before you go. Don’t let the half portion of rice, pasta or ingredients left over from the cookies you baked at Halloween go to waste.

Take a daily inventory. Close your day, every day, with a positive acknowledgement of something you accomplished, learned or are grateful for. It will help dilute some of the negativity you’ve absorbed and remind you that not everything that’s happening right now is bad or depressing.

In times of constant negative messaging, you need an antidote so that you can keep your positive attitude and march forward with determination and hope. Be deliberate in activities that are positive, heartwarming, stress-reducing and laughter-inducing.

Together, we can get through this.