by frances chen
these are stressful times. as a professor and a phd student of psychology at the university of b.c., we are keenly interested in effective coping strategies for the unique circumstances of the covid-19 crisis.
frances cooks comfort foods or “meets” her neighbours for drinks from the safe distance of their respective balconies. yeeun streams a tv show that she used to watch with her family in korea. in other words, we distract ourselves.
when people feel intense negative emotions, distraction can be a useful coping strategy. it can take the edge off for an hour or two.
although distraction doesn’t provide a long-term fix, calming down can be necessary before engaging in coping strategies oriented toward problem-solving.
so bake those cookies. have a virtual movie night. and feel good about it. you are taking the first step toward restoring your well-being.
we wondered what coping strategies might not only relieve our anxieties temporarily, but also make a difference in someone’s life.
many people are doing this already, by directing their attention away from their own concerns and toward others. they are sewing face masks to donate to those who need them. they are dropping off medication and groceries at the doors of strangers who are sick and homebound.