07/30/2020
Once again I'd like to make this post about dealing with COVID 19. More and more people are experiencing COVID LETHARGY. Many find it difficult to engage in many small tasks. A lot of people are experiencing anxiety and dysphoria. Companies are downsizing and people don't know if they will have a job in two months. Others have taken pay cuts. While grateful to have a job they are worried about how to make their bills. The extra $600 unemployment survival benefit expired on July 25th. So anxiety about mortgages and rent has skyrocketed. On top of all of this, messaging from government leaders has been conflicting, especially regarding children going back to school remotely or online. Some fail to consider the risk to staff especially those with underlying physical conditions. The last piece of bad news for residents of 133 is that three zip codes, 77077, 77057 (part of it is in 133) and 77055 (part of it is also in 133) now have some of the highest numbers of diagnosed COVID numbers in the city of Houston.
With this scenario playing out it is understandable that so many experience COVID lethargy. So I suggest the following:
1) lower expectations about what you expect yourself to achieve right now
2) if there's a household task you think you need to do but just "can't make myself do it" then lower the bar dramatically. If you've only got 10 minutes in you...fine!! give yourself permission to feel good at the end of that 10 minutes
3) throw it out if your de-cluttering. A lot of what gets donated goes to the dump anyway so just perform that step directly. There will be no safe garage sales for a lo-o-ong time anyway
4) accept that it's rough for the children. They are bored beyond what Americans typically experience. Parents can't be perfect for their young ones. As stated previously try to develop a "bubble" with at least one other family that is masking and social distancing.
5) keep a structure for the entire family. Get up at the same time and have a fixed bedtime for everyone...including mom and dad. This maintains some continuity for the children.
Make reading stories a treat. Many children love to be read to. Do that before nap time and at bedtime. Who knows even a 12 yo might like it during these times. The point here is to CREATE A FOND MEMORY WHERE THEY FELT SAFE WITH THEIR PARENT
6) if drinking too much and you know you have a problem, consider a virtual AA meeting. Everyone in that meeting will understand
7) DO A BUDGET. This can be very frightening but it's a gotta. Call places where there is an outstanding loan and ask to decrease the monthly payment. The company may not like it but getting some money is better than getting none. This is a problem fraught with anxiety but it's better to tackle it before the budget tackles you!
8) be kind to yourself...wear a mask, maintain social distancing and use hand sanitizer. This is every person's profoundly important contribution to society. This is what will help contain COVID until an effective vaccine is found and distributed
9) this will end but don't ask when...it's an act of self torture and leads to catastrophizing. Terrible things have an end point when managed. Instead focus on managing the present.. It's not easy but Americans can be tenacious and unstoppable when they commit to that. Commit to yourself, your family, and your community.
This is respectfully submitted to you from my position as an LPC!