Managing stress, anxiety and depression during Covid-19

anxiety-depression-covid19

This list started as a Slack message, turned into a company email, then turned 
into a blog post to include things *organizations* can do to manage this difficult time. 

You can read the final blog post here: https://snipe.net/2020/03/24/managing-stress-anxiety-and-depression-during-covid-19/

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Hi all, 

I posted this to slack (and pinned it), but just in case you missed it, here it is in email. 
I’ll update that thread as I remember more ideas:

Some good advice I've seen on managing anxiety/depression during this trying time, collected from various places:

- connect with loved ones more via video chat
- read a book or listen to an audiobook
- play video games (if that helps distract - even iOS games can help - we use Hidden Object Puzzles here) 
- stay active - learn yoga, go outside for runs, walks, hikes or bike rides (but maintain distance)
- remember to eat enough and drink enough water. set timers if you need to.
- volunteer to help with online fundraising or other charity work - learn to sew and make face masks (https://freesewing.org/blog/facemask-frenzy/ ) 
- keep a lean diet of social media if you can. lots of FUD and anger and misinformation
- make time for yourself, even if you have to care for others. think airplane-style "put your breathing mask on first”
- clean, if you're not at risk of it turning obsessive
- take an online class and learn something new, even (especially?) if it has absolutely nothing to do with your job (I have places you can go for free online classes)
- watch movies/TV (not the best option, but it can distract for a bit (try to stay away from dystopian stories if it's going to make it worse)
- revisit old hobbies that you wish you were still doing
- learn an instrument and learn to play your favorite song
- learn a foreign language - duolingo is free 
- learn to cook (if you don't already know how) - try new recipes and go outside your comfort zone - youtube has tons of cooking videos
- play your favorite music and sing along to it
- watch youtube videos and learn how to dance
- write a short story or poems
- shower, even if you don't feel like it
- put on makeup every now and then (if you normally would) if it helps you feel human

We’re also planning on doing a virtual happy hour on Fridays. 
Please response to the slack poll to let us know which time works best for you. (You don’t need to drink alcohol, it’s just a social gathering.) 

I love and appreciate you all, and I know how hard this is. 
Hang in there, and reach out to me via text, DM, etc if you need to talk. 🤟🏻♥️

Sincerely,


Alison Gianotto
Founder & Chief Mohawk Officer
agianotto@grokability.com