If you are worried about catching Covid while at home, you can try these simple steps to reduce your worry –
1. Use small chunks of time (15-30 min) by allocating to specific activity
2. Do not re-work plans – e.g. if you are buying groceries once a week stay with it.
3. Stop looking for more info – avoiding crowd + closed spaces and wearing mask all the time is enough.
4. Washing hands ONCE after returning home is good enough.
5. Watch your emotions – distract yourself from worry, anger, sadness by involving in physical activity, art, music, etc.
6. Step away from Covid conversations in person and online.
7. Spend time with children doing chores at home, study etc.
8. Get exercise as possible.
9. Simple slowed breathing with long exhalations is helpful. Start with just 10-15 breaths multiple times in a day. Don’t stretch concentration to breaking point.
10. Call up elderly relatives for light chat and help them remember “good old days” avoid Covid discussions with them.
11. Get good sleep by switching off screens hour or two before bedtime and take light dinner.
12. Start writing – whatever you want. May be just a written record of your free running thoughts. It helps to calm mind. Usual caveat – this does not apply as treatment of mental health issues.
If distress continues beyond 2 weeks and affects your sleep, appetite, mood on daily basis, get help.
Take care.