We’re living in uncertain times and this is scary for a lot of people. After all, a pandemic can be devastating and no one truly knows when the coronavirus spread is going to subside or what tomorrow holds. That’s why it’s important to practice positive coping methods and prioritize your mental health. Here are 10 ways to cope during the coronavirus pandemic.

Count Your Blessings

Now’s not the time to focus on all of the negative aspects of your life and what’s going wrong throughout the world. If we’re going to make it through this pandemic, then we need to focus on the positives and be grateful for what we have. It’s hard to stay positive right now, but we can’t let the negative thoughts cloud our judgment and fully take over.

Stay Informed

With that said, we also can’t block out the news, especially since officials and medical professionals are constantly giving us updates on proper procedures (such as social distancing) to combat this virus. Of course, we also can’t watch the news for hours upon hours as it might lead to our feeling worse about the situation. Stay informed, but don’t overdo it.

You Don’t Have to Be a Productivity Machine

Productivity and taking advantage of every hour of the day can be halted at this time. What’s important is that you and your family are safe and, since many people are sheltered in their homes, that you’re taking care of your mental health. Working nonstop and trying to take advantage of all waking hours can keep your mind off the virus, but it can also lead to burnout and more stress, especially since there are fewer ways to incorporate downtime since many businesses and entertainment options are rightfully closed at the moment (not to mention, not everyone is used to working from home and it can be a drastic change). It’s OK to incorporate more breaks and time away from work than usual right now.

Indulge in Entertainment

We understand watching TV for hours a day gets a negative reputation, but now’s not the time to feel bad about indulging in entertainment—well, as long as you’re finishing important tasks for work and your family, that is. There aren’t a lot of options right now, but there are ways to get creative with your entertainment, such as partaking in a Pimsleur audio courses trial. Trying out the software and free trial before you purchase it can give you a better idea of what’s included and if it’s right for you, and can also help you expand your mind depending on the software you download.

Exercise in Your home

Many people are stuck inside, but they still need to figure out ways to get their exercise in, not only for their heart health but also because exercise has many mental health benefits. Whether you have a pushup, yoga, or full-body workout routine, exercising can help you cope and give you something else to do when there aren’t many options.

Proceed with caution when starting any exercise regimen. If you have the means to consult a physician, do so, especially if you have existing health conditions that can be aggravated by physical exertion. Muscle pains and cramps are totally normal if you’re new to exercising, and that can be relieved with a hot or cold compress.

Take This Time to Work on Yourself

If there are personal things you’ve always wanted to work on, then now’s the ideal time to do so. While it’s not easy to work on all of your issues during a pandemic, focusing on a couple of areas can be beneficial and you also don’t want to create bad habits or other issues on top of everything else that’s going on. You can even pick up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try.

Take Precautionary Measures

aking precautionary measures is about listening to health and medical professionals. This could feature wearing masks and gloves if you have to go out and cleaning surfaces when you come back inside. Taking action is one of the best ways to cope and gives you a little bit of power.

Ensure You and Your Family Are Protected

This step can include the information above as well as making sure your family is okay financially. After all, a financial setup can make matters a whole lot worse. This, of course, can mean different things for different people, such as refinancing your home or looking at RV extended warranty reviews in hopes of securing a better warranty that protects you during uncertainty. Unfortunately, an RV doesn’t care if it breaks down during a pandemic, but you can plan for the worst with a new warranty.

Understand You’re Not Alone

We’re in this together and we’re all trying to figure out healthy ways to cope with the coronavirus. That might not solve everyone’s problems, but it can help them feel less alone as everyone is fighting a crisis.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. There are plenty of resources online, such as therapy sessions, AA meetings, doctor appointments, and more. You don’t have to go at this alone and you should ask for help if necessary.