How to Keep Your Sanity during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Let me start by saying, it is okay to be afraid; we are, after all, human. We may be in familiar territory currently but it is still unique in its own way and therefore remains uncharted. Also, reaction to fear can still be rational, organized and selfless. On the other hand, it is not okay to panic. Panic involves irrational, hysterical and baseless actions executed with utter disregard for others. Panic hurts and it solves nothing.
As a pediatric critical care doctor and a pediatric anesthesiologist, I have encountered and had to deal with many matters of life and death in my patients. When I reflect on those crises, common themes arise: preparedness matters; rational, organized and selfless action matters; expertise matters; experience matters; team work matters; and, for sure, panic hurts.
I am having to navigate the Coronavirus pandemic as an essential health care worker who has quite a high risk of encountering patients who are infected with the virus in question, CoVid 19, as well as many other viruses (given my particular subspecialties and the procedures I tend to perform), as a mother of two young kids—ages 8 and 4.5 years (one of whom is autistic and has services and many other programs outside of our house that require major coordination), and as an income earner who supports a dependent brother (to name a few responsibilities).
I mention all that, not to seek praise and not for self-aggrandizing because I know, for certain, that this balancing act is definitely not unique to me. Instead, I mention it to state the case for my need—my strong desire—to grasp onto every shred of sanity in order to survive this phase, may be even thrive, when all is said and done. I mention my background to say to you, in this challenging time of social-distancing, you are not alone.
Here are 10 principles I am leaning on to maintain my sanity in this CoVid 19 Pandemic:
- Counting my blessings: There is so much I have to be grateful for in each and every day. Even during my toughest times, I stop between tears to acknowledge the great things that I do have going for me in my life. I find that when I do that, I experience an overwhelming and undeniable surge of gratitude, renewed hope and peace (in exactly that order).
Photocredit @chichichicmd @pidge81552
Photocredit @chichichicmd @pidge81552
- Practicing mindfulness (habitually): Deliberately being present in the here and now; stop regretting the past and quit worrying about the future. The only time we can do anything about is now—today, so squeeze every potential ounce of joy out of the present because, try as you might, you cannot undo the past and que sera sera. Check out a helpful and short article on Mindfulness –> Click here.
Photocredit @chichichicmd
- Creating Plans but Being Flexible: Ironically, the era of a pandemic is not really about survival of the fittest; it is about survival of the most adaptive. Sometimes I just have to tell the planner extraordinaire in me to simmer down!! Creating a plan that is flexible enough to adapt to less than ideal circumstances is how this war will be won. My husband and I have had to alter timelines for many projects and personal goals to accommodate homeschooling our kids and other pandemic-related curve-balls. We have also had to reallocate resources and re-prioritize financial targets to deal with the potential fallout from an economic recession.
Please check out this beautiful (and succinct) article by Forbes Magazine: Your Pandemic Financial Survival Kit.
Photocredit @chichichicmd @aly_mclean_
4. Staying Active (mentally and physically) and Getting Dressed: Social distancing or shelter-in-place or lock down or self-isolation does not equate to sit down, bum around and wait patiently for the end of the world. Get up and get dressed, still take pride in your appearance, get out of the house, take walks, exercise at home, and keep your mind engaged by reading or doing puzzles. Staying active will boost your body’s natural endorphins and decrease your risk of depression and anxiety. By the way, check out my blog post on beauty shortcuts that do not require a glamsquad: Click here.
Photocredit @chichichicmd
5. Eating healthy and Washing My Hands: Trust me, you want a solid immune system during a pandemic. Part of that is nature (your genetics), the other part is nurture (your nutrition and your exposures).
Photocredit @chichichicmd @msayson
Photocredit @chichichicmd
Here are some foods you should be loading up on now (ideally, you should have been loading up on them beforehand, but, we do not dwell on the past, no we do not—LOL):
- Citrus Fruits (Grapefruit, Oranges, Tangerines, Lemons, Limes, Clementines): They are packed with Vitamin C that helps with the production of white blood cells which are literally the building blocks of our immune system.
- Red Bell Pepper: They contain twice the amount of Vitamin C as citrus fruits and they also contain Beta Carotene which helps your eyes and skin.
- Garlic: Garlic has been used by many ancient civilizations to fight infections and cure many ailments. It helps our arteries by lowering cholesterol, regulates blood pressure and blood sugar, and it contains Allicin which is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect the body’s tissues from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause aging and are formed as by product of the body’s natural processes.
- Ginger: Gingerol in ginger has some cholesterol lowering effects and can help decrease inflammation. Ginger can also help improve your blood pressure by acting as a vasodilator (expanding your blood vessel size).
- Green Leafy Veggies—especially Spinach: They are rich in Vitamin C, beta-carotene, antioxidants, iron, and fiber. They help your white and red blood cells, they help digestion and keep you full, despite being so low in calories.
- Nuts—especially Almonds: They are packed with Vitamin E which is a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E also helps the body form red blood cells.
- Tumeric: This yellow spice is a key ingredient in many curry dishes from around the globe. Tumeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It contains curcumin which is a very strong antioxidant.
- Green Tea: Both green and black teas have loads of flavonoids (a powerful antioxidant). However, green tea has lots of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), another powerful immune boosting antioxidant, compared to black tea which loses a lot of EGCG in the fermentation process used to make black tea.
- Broccoli: Broccoli is packed with Vitamins A, C and E, loads of antioxidants and fiber. Cook it very little, or not at all, and it will pack its best punch.
- Poultry: Chicken and Turkey contain loads of Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) which helps in many of the body’s chemical reactions. Vitamin B6 helps make hormones and red blood cells; it also makes melatonin which helps regulate your internal clock and help with sleep. Poultry is a great source of healthy protein.
- Salmon—especially wild caught Salmon: High in Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Omega Fatty Acids (Polyunsaturated Fats), and Zinc. Omega Fatty Acids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Farm-raised Salmon may be higher in contaminants and is often filled with antibiotics.
Photocredit @chichichicmd
- Avoiding Scams, Snake Oil Salesmen, and Conspiracy Theories: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it often is. Listen to the experts, not to your aunt’s dog walker’s cousin’s pastor who is a sage healer that promises an instant cure for CoVid 19 and CoVid 20. And, no, CoVid 19 was not released as a biological weapon. Just stop it!
- Capitalizing on Free Time: Get some of those pesky tasks that you have been putting off since 2017. Use your kids—er’m, I mean, involve them in the process—LOL! Clean out that closet, write that blog post, sort out those family vacation photos, organize that junk drawer, put up those shelves or those blinds, or finally try out that recipe. Increased level of productivity will definitely boost your mood.
- Being Charitable, Being Kind: So many people are going through so much, especially those affected directly by CoVid 19 (sickness, lost loved ones) or those affected indirectly (job loss, business closure, bankruptcy). Pick up groceries for your elderly neighbor, prepare and drop off a meal for a busy co-worker, send someone in need some cash, share a message of encouragement, or be a social-distancing appropriate listening ear. Click here for a heartwarming article on an Edinburgh shop that is supplying Co Vid 19 survival packs to those in need.
Photocredit The Scotsman
We can also support local/small businesses by buying gift cards, ordering take out/delivery, giving great tips for services, skipping refunds when you can afford to lose the amount of money involved—consider that a donation to that business, or reschedule a service for later. 
- Having Fun at Home but also Going Outside (Responsibly): Get creative with your entertainment options. Netflix and chill is great but you can also dust off those board games, form a family band, stage a bake-off, or listen to educational yet entertaining podcasts like Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell, The Axe Files with David Axelrod, or How to be Amazing with Michael Ian Black.
Photocredit @chichichicmd @carasouli workinf
Photocredit @chichichicmd
You could also share a meal or enjoy online shopping with your bestie over WhatsApp Video or FaceTime or continue your book club via Zoom teleconferencing. With tech, the world is still your oyster—claim your pearl.
- Prepare for the Post Pandemic World: Remember, this, too, shall pass. Stay calm, be hopeful, and think long term. Things may seem bleak right now, but the world will eventually reopen for business and leisure. Let us learn the lessons we can now and prepare for the post-pandemic world which will still need our individual sparkle and shine.
Photocredit @chichichimd @aly_mclean_
When we get through this, the post-pandemic phase will be the time to update or create your family’s or business’s pandemic/disaster preparedness plan (especially if you didn’t have one for this crisis—again, we don’t dwell on the past); therefore, it is crucial that you keep track of the lessons you are learning during the pandemic to be able to call upon them for the future.
***Here are some uplifting stories of resilience and survival of the 1918 Flu Pandemic. Click here, here, and here.
Photocredit @chichichimd @aly_mclean_
So friends, this is what is working for me so far, and I hope that by sharing this, I may help someONE out there.
What do you think about these principles for surviving a pandemic? Please share your thoughts, as well as some of the factors that are helping you or someone you know, in the comment section down below.
Love,
Chichi
Chichi, I love this post for its practicality and excellent ideas.
Thank you so much Udo for taking the time to read my post and to give me feedback. I truly appreciate it 🥰
Very apt!! Thanks for this!
You are so welcome Toyin. Thank you for the kind compliment 🙂
Well Done Chichi(c)! this post is filled with great ideas, is well written and points to other great resources. Thanks.
Thank you so much Serge for reading the post and for giving me feedback. I truly appreciate it. Be safe and keep well. God bless you 🙂
Great article! Amazing tips especially if one is home!
While, l have found this period quite stressful and tiring going to work and planning kids day to ensure they have some structure.
I’m also grateful that it gives me an opportunity to examine myself on how adaptable l can or should be be to unknown situations. As l take each day as it comes, I’m hopeful that the good Lord will help us get through.
Thanks for another inspiring and positive article. God bless!
I can 100% relate Francisca. Thank you for reading the article and for taking the time to give me feedback. I truly appreciate it. We shall get through this–let’s keep encouraging one another.
God bless you too dear 🙂
This article was a soothing massage to my soul. Mindfulness resonated most with me. Being present and grateful are certainly key elements to our sanity. Thanks for sharing such thoughtful insight and lovely photos. ❤️
Awww…I am so glad you enjoyed the article; you’re welcome! Yes, mindfulness resonates strongly with me as well. Thank you for the kind compliments and constant support. Stay safe and God bless 🙂
Thank you so much Chichi for this VERY helpful post. I will share with my family and friends.
GOD bless you and your beautiful family
Thank you so much Magdalene. I really appreciate you kind compliments. Yes, please share freely. Stay safe and God bless 🙂
Great survival tips @ #Chichic chic ❤️
Great read!
#4 especially, highlights the importance of mental health awareness during this time of crisis. There’s always the danger of eating yourself into a coma while at home for such an extended period of time. Staying active physically, mentally and emotionally may prove beneficial to oneself.
Thank you Chichi!
Great job👍🏾
Thank you so much for reading the article and taking the time to leave me feedback and share your thoughts. I truly appreciate you. Yes, discipline to keep up healthy habits is so key. Take care dear 🥰
Very helpful at this time. I am doing all this not trying panic if I have a cold and also trying not to overthink things. Beautifully written as always thanks Chi
You’re so welcome Ugo. Your strategy is great–keep it up. Thank you so much for reading and for giving me feedback–I truly appreciate that 🙂
Chi chi, You put all the feelings that people are experiencing into the right words. It’s calming for me to read articles that do not invoke fear and chaos. As the mother of an immunocompromised 2 year old, I understand all too much what others may be experiencing at this time. Making small life changes to avoid illness takes some putting your mind to. You offered some good suggestions for those adjusting to this pandemic.
Angela Isaac, Ayden’s Mom
Hi Angela, thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and to share your experience. I am so glad that you found my article helpful. Your kind compliment and invaluable feedback are so heartwarming and encouraging to me–I am so grateful. I wish you all the best with Ayden and I hope that you are continuing to keep safe and well 🙂 Love, Chichi