The Stress Continues: How to Accommodate for Family and Friends During a Pandemic

During a pandemic, we face many different worries.

Whether it be getting sick, losing work, money shortages, and/or even medical plans to the point that we often
forget the mental and physical toll these situations can have on our relationships.

Once a person is given the overall order to social distance and focus on oneself with little contact with the outside world, they’re often overwhelmed by the simple fact that they have to load up on groceries before they realize the other obstacles they’re going to face.

Through a pandemic, there are multiple ways to accommodate. Many of us find ourselves spending a lot of time with our loved ones who are under the same roof as us.

This type of change can be worrying and stressful, especially once you notice that you are losing frequent face to face contact with the outside world. This type of change can be both stressful, worrying, scary, and for some people it can even be unbearable.

In order to avoid extreme possible stress and loss of relationships, there are 5 recommended steps to take given by the Mental Health Foundation. You can:

• Give yourself time to be alone and Give yourself time to spend with your
  friends and family. (Pace yourself)
• Be aware and Listen, which gives you all time to become attentive and
  notice things you may not have noticed before.
• Listen to each other, engage in conversations even when you don’t believe
  it’s important.
• Talk about things that you’re passionate about without feeling guilty or
  unheard. Don’t assume they know.
• Recognize Unhealthy and toxic relationships.
  
• Often these things will not only allow you to build better relationships, it
  can also allow you the time you deserve with friends and family.

A lot of times, we notice and face different obstacles within different relationships, however there is no handbook that tells us or teaches us how to deal with natural disasters, loss, or pandemics.

There is always a way to make relationships stronger. During this overwhelming time, it’s best to keep people around you and above you. Some people are better than others with handling their emotions and outcomes of situations.

Number does not matter.  Having some people to lean on is better than having no people.