@garland I also have a seventeen month old granddaughter who I was used to seeing at least twice a week for babysitting eight hours a day. We were really getting to be pals. I can’t believe we won’t be seeing her for awhile. It really is so sad. I keep asking my daughter what new words we’re missing. Apparently, this week she has started saying “help.” How appropriate. She is what I am missing most through this crisis.
I don’t feel like I’m dealing too well with this. I keep getting chest pains. I know it’s psychological, because as soon as I turn off the news, they go away. I have started to feel better by working, feeling like I’m doing something useful towards alleviating the misery for people. It feels really good to have purpose.
Gosh, y’all are making me feel good about myself! 
We did a Zoom mtg with the kids tonight and my son’s future in-laws. It was great.
Very anxious here.
Our daughter in Spain just let us know that one of her roommates tested positive. Fingers crossed she only gets a very mild case. Hard to be so far away and unable to help, other than giving pep talks and sharing information.
I also think that spending face to face time or voice time with people that are important to you is helpful.
I visited my 86 year old mom today and while we kept distance from each other even in her house, I could see that it did her a world of good to have people to see and talk to . It broke my heart a little bit when it was time to have some lunch and she said "now how about we each get a plate and instead of sitting at the dining table we all take a different spot in the living room to eat - we can talk but will all have out own space. " I was proud of her for recognizing this but also gosh, just odd that we can’t feel comfortable sitting at the same table.
We also had a 5-way family FaceTime tonight organized by D1. Good for everyone.
@abasket, I haven’t visited my parents since this started, even though I live 20 minutes away. I know I am highly exposed, and I can’t take a chance at them getting it. I don’t even feel comfortable being 6 feet away, because my dad can’t hear me, and would want me to move closer. He’s got too many health issues, and he’s 90. It’s great that you can still find a way to see your mom.
I have to say, one thing that has really helped is humor. My friends, husband, and coworkers are really funny. There are so many great memes out there.
My mom texted to me that my dad accidentally ate a bite of soap today, and was yelling that he needed to go see the doctor immediately. You would have to know my dad, he has always been completely ridiculous. But my sister and nieces were screaming with laughter (it’s organic, non-SLS soap, very harmless). And he’s fine. Laughter has been so important.
For those who are believers in a higher power, Max Lucado is offering a free online bible study geared toward reducing anxiety.
https://www.faithgateway.com/anxious-for-nothing-obs-registration/?utm_source=sgobs&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=letterfrommax&utm_term=afnobs2
My anxiety feels exactly like this:
When you were young, did you ever become infatuated with someone who you dated, everything was fantastic, and then…they started acting a little different? And increasingly distant? That happened to me when I was 15 years old, and every day for a week my stomach was extremely tense. Like “butterflies” but the butterflies of dread instead of excitement. He eventually broke it off and the stomach thing persisted for a little while. A couple of months later we got back together and dated for many years.
That’s what my anxiety reminds me of.
Haven’t read all the posts.
I feel for everyone during this time. I am an anxious person. I have to stop reading the news. I suggest others do that too.
I also remind myself that in a couple of months, we will be through the worst of the health crisis. As far as the financial crisis, I’m not allowing myself to go down that rabbit hole. We are fortunate that we should get through this worse for wear, but hopefully not to the point of losing our home.
Even if we did lose our home, it will take the bank a very long time to actually get us out, by which time we should have a plan.
Finally, I remind myself that people got through the 1919 pandemic, WW1, the Great Depression, and WW2. We will get though this.
Everyday, I’m trying to find something to be happy about. I had a great birthday, first time in three years both of my kids were home with me. Spring is definitely coming. Weather has been far milder than usual. Had a lovely long hike with my family. Keep looking for the good.
I watched a few episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore show before bed last night and finally had a night of sound sleep.
The virus can be in the air for up to 3 hours. I just read a study published by UCLA. So, Is walking outside really safe? I have been walking regularly outside.
I am not an anxious person, but my mom takes the cake for relaxed. She is 81 years old, decent health but obviously at that age has a few issues (mild hypertension, mildly elevated cholesterol, some reduced thyroid function). She lives in one of the epicenters, Westchester County, NY (actually very close to ground zero, New Rochelle).
Up until a few days ago, she has been going out, living her life normally, not a care in the world. She went to the crowded casino until it was shut down a few days ago (Empire City). Even now, she is driving to the supermarket, chatting with friends, visiting once in a while, but as everything shuts down she is spending more time at home, a home in which two of her young grandkids also live (playdates have now been restricted a bit).
She is not ignorant; in fact, she is highly intelligent and still sharp as a tack. She is aware of the risks, and yet chooses not to care.
Perhaps “chooses” is the wrong word. In the end, I am certain that psychological characteristics, including our responses to stress and levels of risk tolerance, are almost entirely predetermined. No doubt heredity plays a huge role.
The flip side of your question, @Ranipetgirl , is how safe is it to take no exercise and be afraid to set foot outdoors? It COULD float in the air for three hours, but 1., how likely is it that you just happen to walk (assuming outdoors in an uncrowded area) where an infected person just sneezed or coughed, 2. you still have more chance of being injured or killed in a car crash (sorry to be morbid, but it’s true), and 3. remember that the mortality rate is still very low, with obvious exceptions. If you are one of those exceptions, be extra cautious and wear a mask when outside, if you are very worried.
Another way to handle this anxiety is to be realistic. There are, frankly, more likely ways to die. You run risks by allowing yourself to succumb to dark thoughts. We have roofs over our heads and food to eat (and I remain optimistic it will stay this way), and we are in a far better position than so many others. Be grateful for the positives. Focus on positivity.
I’ve decided to read less in the way of news and keep TV viewing to a minimum, unless it’s recreational. I am cooking more, exercising more and generally feel more calm. I do worry about the future, but I cannot control that, I can only control my present. Tomorrow is another day, and I may be back to panic mode, but for now, I’m feeling better. Thanks to you all for sharing.
As I keep reminding myself, every person on this planet, is in this with me. We are in this together.
@Lindagaf yes, I am trying to be more positive and am walking outside every day. We are sheltered in place and I hope people who are sick will not venture outside.
I am a therapist and I have taught a very simple breathing exercise to many of my clients. And I have frequently used it myself whenever I start feeling overwhelmed. I set the alarm in my cell phone for 5 minutes (although 3 or 4, or even 1 or 2, can help). Sit in a stable position, feet flat on the floor. Hands on my tummy. Breathe in for a count of 7, hold for 1, and out for a count of 8. Think about the sensation of breath going in and out, and tummy going out and in. Whenever a thought of something else pops into my head, just gently push it away. There is no such thing as doing this wrong; you don’t have to judge yourself if it feels like it isn’t working. Just give it 5 (or 4 or 3 or 2) minutes and you should feel like there’s a little more space in your mind to make a to-do list and figure out what would be the most helpful thing to do right now.
Chances are your D will do fine, and if infected, will weather it just fine and then be immune for a while. I totally understand your feelings and am giving you cyber hugs now.
I think in terms of risk/benefit, your benefit is greater if you continue to walk/run/whatever it is, unless you are walking in a very high traffic area. I live in a small gated community, so physical distancing is very possible, it’s been very rainy (so droplets would be forced onto the ground constantly), and walking briskly is saving my sanity.
Physical fitness has almost always conferred protection from more serious outcomes of disease. Risk/benefit says walk, walk, walk. Stress is bad for the immunity, and if exercise helps your stress (very likely), the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
Thanks Nrdsb4!
She looked good when we FaceTimed. We just need to get her to stop reading news reports of young adults dying from the virus.