Coronavirus is SCARY. There is a lot of misinformation out there and the information that is out there is constantly changing. One thing is certain and that all information sources agree: staying home is safer than being out and about in public and reduces your chances of contracting/spreading germs, illness, and the coronavirus.
So if you are lucky enough to have a job that allows/wants you to stay home during this time of uncertainty, why not take advantage of the flexibility that working from home has to offer and invest in yourself, your relationship, and/or your future by getting around to that “to do” item of going to online sex therapy? Most people talk about wishing they had time to work on their relationship, and cite busy and stressful work schedules and differing schedules as a factor that prevents them from doing so, but online sex therapy is perfect for this period of time that is uncertain and where it is safer to stay home than be out and about.
I am writing this post kind-of tongue in cheek (although I am totally available for telehealth sessions- register as a client and see my availability by going to https://rhiannon.clientsecure.me/) and am not trying to capitalize on a unpredictable, dangerous, and deadly situation. But there is some truth to making the most of your time at home when you and your partner(s) are available to do some work on the relationship or just yourself. And tight quarters and long hours together can have mixed results, so why not get a little extra help from yours truly.
Even though I’m kind of kidding with my title, while I have your attention, here are some helpful articles/media that I have found have given me some information that I found helpful and reasonable. In a time of misinformation, it’s important that we are careful on consuming media, making sure it is accurate and reasonable. If you feel like information is sensationalized, check your source, and always cross check with the CDC website. (I don’t know how relevant these links are now, since the situation is constantly changing, so consume with caution)
Here is a really normal guy, who got coronavirus, and felt like junk but describes the virus:
I love John Oliver explaining the basics, he does it engaging and doesn’t feel to fear mongering or too dismissive:
As John Oliver explains- we need to find ACCURATE information about the disease in order to make the best decisions for ourselves. Here are some things me and my family are doing to prepare for really the unknown, since it isn’t clear how this is all going to pan out (tolerating uncertainty is a real skill- if you lack the ability to tolerate uncertainty, working with a therapist that specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy is really helpful).
- I discuss with my partner on a regular basis the current events that are going on.
- I limit my consumption of media to 1-5 pieces of information a day and stay away from media that is intentionally sensationalistic or fear-mongering.
- I check in with my partner about what I’m feeling and come up with a plan to address the unknown.
- We have a plan for our child if/when daycares close- we’ve connected with grandma’s (one local, one out of state) if/when we need them and have all come together and decided how we would handle needing to keep him home. Is childcare stressing you out? How Working Parents Can Prepare for Coronavirus Quarantine
- We stocked up on some essentials- mostly dried toddler milk and some of the kiddos favorite food. We have committed to keeping our gas tanks full and making sure we don’t run out of too many things in case we do have to quarantine. This article talks about what you need and what you don’t.
- We have used our teledoc quite a bit during cold/flu season, and feel comfortable using that if we were to get sick.
- We have a local pharmacy that delivers if needed.
- We’ve talked about how we would help our neighbors, friends, and people who rely on us for income to keep their lives as continuous as possible. We come from a place of privilege and recognize that not everyone is in as good of a situation as we are.
- I’ve discussed with my clients about their preparedness for the unknown and encouraged them to meet online if there is concern about them being sick. I’ve committed to doing the same.
- We’ve reviewed handwashing and handsanitizing in our household, and commit to sanitizing things more frequently.
While the situation is continuously changing- what do you and your family need to help weather this storm? The best thing to do is talk with your friends and family and come up with a plan and answer these questions?
- How can I limit my interaction with the public? Is working from home an option? Is delivery an option?
- How can I help those that might be less fortunate than me who might be in a different socio-economic place than me? Do my neighbors have food and medicine? How can I help my friends, family, neighbors, and those in need? Are there kiddos that rely on food at daycare and school that might be hungry?
- What resources do I have access to that can help me in a time of crisis?
- What resources do I need that can help me in a time of crisis?
I’m here for y’all- at a distance if you are sick. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones and if you are in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, or Texas, lets take advantage of this time together to get started on some work. Nothing like a health crisis to make us focus on our (mental) health.