by jody robbins
raise your hand if you’re feeling a bit panicked right now. glad i’m not alone. covid-19 is like nothing we’ve seen in recent times and that uncertain feeling is, unfortunately, our new normal.
calgary has been through hard times before, most recently during the flood of 2013. the difference is, we knew the food waters would soon recede, but there’s no endpoint for this pandemic or knowing what’s on the other side.
while the majority of us don’t have the physical symptoms of covid-19, many are struggling with the mental load of it. so how can we reduce feelings of anxiety?
because we have no control over what’s happening to us externally, dr. robbie babins-wagner, ceo of calgary counselling centre, recommends we look to what we do have control over.
“think about what you can replicate in your life that allows you some sense of control of what you’re doing. if you can’t get to the gym, think about how else you can get your exercise in,” she says.
connecting in a time of social distancing
humans are social creatures, and social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. salima stanley-bhanji, ceo of humainologie, a calgary not-for-profit that aims to spread empathy and increase human inclusion through programming, art and film, suggests we connect with others via technology but cautions using text.