Coping with the Anxiety of a Virtual Life During a Pandemic
As the world learns to cope with the restrictions of a global pandemic, more and more people are relying on technology to fill the professional, social, and even spiritual gaps in their lives. The convenience of proceeding with work and studies from the comfort of your home comes with its own perks. No more waking up at an ungodly hour to beat the traffic. No more gas and meal expenses to tighten your already-tight budget.
After a while, however, these perks lose their glimmer, and you’re left to wonder if you’re genuinely happy going on with your life virtually. What do you do when you’re overcome with dread and when you wish that things will go back to normal?
Never Dismiss Your Emotions
The least helpful thing you can do is to dismiss your emotions. You can grow upset with your current set-up even with a good understanding that the restrictions you hate exist for your own safety. That’s fine. It’s not easy transitioning from a carefree life in busy crowds to a solitary existence in the confines of a home you may not even like. Acknowledging that you’re upset, lonely, or angry is the first step to finding a healthy means to cope.
Recognizing your feelings and managing them is an essential life skill, especially during a global health crisis. The better you are doing this, the higher the likelihood that you’ll do well in life. It’s also by admitting to yourself that something’s not quite right that you give your mind and heart the space they need to rest. Labeling them as trivial may lead to a buildup of emotions and, later, mental breakdown.
Mind Your Environment
It doesn’t matter how passionate you are about pursuing online undergraduate courses; if your environment isn’t conducive for learning, your passion will only take you so far. Your home environment also impacts your mental health in ways you might not notice. Are there clutter everywhere? Do you feel a constant need to dust everything and maybe get rid of unused household items? Perhaps it’s the busy street you live in that’s driving you crazy.
The stress that comes from loud noises and messy homes only worsens your growing anxiety. Decide to clean up, once and for all, and find ways to block out unwanted sounds. The more suitable your environment is to your learning preferences, the better you’ll perform in your online classes. The improvement you’ll experience in your virtual classroom may reduce the feelings of isolation and dread caused by the new normal.
Diversify Your Routine
Sticking to a routine will help you gain a better sense of control over your life during the pandemic. However, it can also make the entire experience dull. Diversifying your routine, particularly your virtual experience, can give you a refreshing perspective on distance learning and remote work.
Take advantage of Zoom backgrounds, organize weekly themes with your classmates or coworkers, and find applications to improve your virtual meetings. Try studying in the morning instead of late at night, and switch to exercises you’ve never done before. When your social life is reduced to a virtual class or event, sometimes the best thing you can do is love your own company. By appreciating your alone time, you may find yourself more forthcoming in relationships and more certain of your preferences in life.
Anxiety Is Normal
Growing anxious from time-to-time during a pandemic is normal. This is why many organizations advocate mental health awareness, especially when more people are vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Seek help as needed, and don’t be afraid to try new ways to protect your mental health. At the end of the day, nobody will care for you the way you can.