If your first reaction to the title was “a vacation?? I’m not leaving the house right now!” then great! That’s the reaction you should have during the coronavirus quarantine!
However, being stuck inside and hearing that we may need to continue this for anywhere from weeks to several months would make even the most introverted of us start to get a little stir crazy. “Getting away” (mentally speaking) from the stress of being quarantined is one way some people have been trying to manage their isolation, stress, and anxiety.
Need an Escape During COVID-19?
Early on in the quarantine, I saw an adorable YouTube video of an older couple on their couch, feet up on their tv stand, with a video of the open water from the view of a cruise ship. They were dressed as if they were on a tropical vacation, clinking their glasses of wine together, with smiles from ear to ear. It was an inspiring thing to watch. Here was a couple, who just had their vacation canceled due to a pandemic. However, they weren’t going to let this stop them from having some relaxation and enjoyment together. It was a display of how incredibly resilient people can be and how some can cope with disappointment.
A friend of mine was supposed to go to Disney World around the week Disney closed due to COVID-19. This was a trip he was very excited for and was devastated to learn that the much-earned vacation with his family was canceled. He was determined to “experience” Disney any way he could even though he could not travel. He started watching POV (point of view) videos of people riding attractions at Disney World. He had watched every attraction he was planning on riding plus a few shows and parades. Sure, this wasn’t the same as being there and experiencing the magic right in front of him, but for a few moments, he felt as though he was there.
Fantasy can be a great way to take yourself out of your immediate situations. It’s why we daydream. Anxiety is influenced by our thoughts and beliefs about the world around us. If we can take a break from what has felt like constant anxiety given the current situation, we can experience some moments of peace and fun in a safe way.
Our therapists have helped several clients through the use of “guided imagery.” This is a form of relaxation which helps to put you in a more relaxed and safe environment by using mental imagery, sounds, and smells. You might find it helpful to use soundscapes, relaxing imagery on YouTube, or other ways to affect your senses to transport you wherever you’d like to be.
More Resources
I want to add that right now we have seen our clients and their families needing more support than ever due to COVID-19. Anxiety and depression are on the rise and will continue to climb due to the current state of affairs. The government has put some wonderful things in place for mental health needs. One being that teletherapy (video therapy) or online counseling is now covered by insurance companies. Some are covering it 100% so there is no cost to you. If you feel you or your loved one could benefit, please feel free to reach out to us at (908) 415-2042 or email us at info@exceptionalwellnesscounseling.com as we are proud to serve New Jersey!
Wishing you and your family good health!
Matt
Matt Berman MA, LPC
Matt Berman is a dad to a two-year-old son. He is also a husband and proud dad to his adorable dog named Gambit (aka “Puppy,” according to Matt’s son). He loves to cook and play guitar. Matt is passionate about being a psychotherapist and the Assistant Director of Exceptional Wellness Counseling (EWC). EWC has locations in Manalapan and Shrewsbury NJ and accepts a variety of insurances.
Email Us: info@exceptionalwellnesscounseling.com Call Now: (908) 415-2042 EWC has locations in Manalapan and Shrewsbury NJ and accepts a variety of insurances.
Next Steps & Resources
To watch the video of the couple mentioned above (have tissues ready) click here!
To ride some DisneyWorld attractions virtually, click this link!
For more information on guided imagery, click here!
