Q. I’m a senior who lives alone and am wrestling with disappointment as the COVID-19 crisis continues. I’m having difficulty sleeping at night, I’m lonely, and I’m over virtual visits. I just want to hug my children and grandchildren, but don’t know when it will be safe to do so. My family lives out of town, so a social distancing visit isn’t possible right now. Do you have any suggestions for how I can pull myself out of this slump?
A. I want to start by reassuring you that your feelings are valid and that you’re not alone in experiencing such feelings. Many seniors are experiencing the same feelings, especially as the CDC guidelines encourage seniors to stay home as much as possible. Here are a few ideas to help pull yourself out of the COVID-19 slump.
Start by reestablishing a daily routine. Wake up, go to bed, and eat your meals around the same time each day. Turn off the television and spend time engaging in a hobby. Set yourself up for a better night’s sleep by avoiding daytime naps. If you really need a nap, make it a short nap and try to nap before the late afternoon hours.
Include exercise in your daily routine. Exercise releases endorphins and will put you in a better mood. It’s also a way for your body to release stress and combat anxiety. It can even help improve your sleep at night.
Look for ways to encourage those around you. This will help keep things in perspective, while giving you a sense of purpose.
Continue to stay connected with family and friends. Since you’re fatigued with video calls, start a pen-pal relationship with your grandchildren. If possible, get together with nearby friends, while following social distancing recommendations.
Finally, give yourself grace. Recognize that you’re going to have days where you feel disappointed and lonely. When those feelings continue to disrupt your everyday life, it’s time to reach out to a health care professional. Let your doctor know how you’re feeling so that they can monitor you for depression. They can even refer you to a licensed therapist should you need additional support.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com, or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
