With the ominous threat of COVID-19 looming over us, it’s hard to think about much else. Nurses are known for having Type A personalities- having detailed and regimented plans for each day. With the ever changing guidelines and protocols related to COVID, it’s hard to plan. This has led to a lot of feelings of frustration and helplessness in myself, and I suspect many others. During these unprecedented times, it’s important to reclaim your sense of control.
I’ve been able to grasp some control in these times through arbitration. While I can’t go hiking with my friends, I can Facetime them while at the park. While I can’t meet up with coworkers for a night out, I can meet them online and play games together. While I can’t throw my sister the baby shower I’d originally planned, I can organize a virtual baby shower. Our sacrifices now-the things we are giving up through physical distancing- will be so worth it in the end, as each time we choose to distance ourselves, we help flatten the infection curve.
Before COVID, I was having regular visits with my counselor to use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help combat my anxiety. I’ve found relief in practicing CBT because it allows me to “reframe” my perceptions that are often clouded by anxiety. Despite COVID, I am still able to meet online with my counselor. Employees at OSU also have access to the Employee Assistance Program as well as the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (S.T.A.R) team. Working from home, combined with inconsistent work hours has been a detriment to my sleep. I’ve actually found that OSU has free guided imagery online. I’m planning to use this before bed to help clear my mind of all the intrusive and stressful thoughts covid has released. Students at OSU have access to Counseling and Consultation Services, which is currently offering phone and Zoom appointments. These are all great options to help combat the stress we’re experiencing.
Lately, I’ve received countless emails and social media posts regarding “ways to beat” COVID-19. I try to remember that not everyone has taken an Evidence-Based Practice course and they may not be able to distinguish between someone’s opinions and observations and high quality evidence. Most recently, my Dad sent me an “article” that stated it was from a well-established and respected hospital system. As I read the document, it became apparent to me that there were no citations present, either in text or at the bottom. The document was also littered with grammatical errors. Had this been an actual study or official guideline, it would have been proof-read prior to publication and it would certainly have citations linked to high quality data. I determined this was another case of misinformation and encouraged my family to use official recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) for evidence-based recommendations.
Throughout these difficult times, it is imperative that we practice self care. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or fearful, don’t be afraid to reach out. Chances are, someone else is feeling the same way. In times like these, we must band together. We might not agree with each other when it comes to politics or taste in music, but this is something we need to have a unified front on. We need to put our differences aside and come together for our patients, families, and communities. I leave you with a quote from the ever-wise J.K. Rowling, as expressed through Albus Dumbledore, “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”