This document discusses staying positive during the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that the pandemic has turned lives upside down, with work, social life, and routines disrupted. Fear, uncertainty, loneliness, and stress are common responses. Effective coping strategies are important to manage these emotions and include maintaining social connections even if virtually, getting exercise, keeping a routine, spending time on hobbies, and reaching out for help if distress becomes too much. The document stresses that living through a pandemic is traumatic and everyone is suffering in some way.

2. Overview
 If you asked me an year ago, “How to Stay Positive
During the Pandemic,” I’d probably have laughed it off.
 Who knew this is where we’d be?
 Our lives have been turned upside down by the
outbreak. Work is different.
 social life has virtually been ground to a halt. “Social
Distancing” is suddenly a phrase we know and hear
daily.
 Fear and uncertainty are rampant.

3.  Living through a pandemic is a traumatic and
stressful experience.
 No matter your level of comfort, quality of health or
state of employment everyone is suffering and
acknowledging that is totally necessary.

4. COVID Distress
Might Look Like:
• Increased anxiety and uncertainty
• Feelings of loneliness or sadness
• Feelings of helplessness and frustration
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Changes in substance use
• Information/update burnout
• Exacerbation of existing mental health concerns
• What have you noticed?

6. coping?
The ways in which we respond to or
manage stress/uncomfortable emotions
– the ways in which we respond to life’s
demands.
Is coping always positive or adaptive?

7. ADAPTIVE COPING
MALADAPTIVE COPING

8. Avoidance of underlying concerns
Prolonged distress
Short-term gain, longer-term pain
Worsening of initial symptoms
Consequences of Not
Coping Effectively

9.  Reach Out to Loved Ones
Stay Informed—but
Not Too Informed

10. MAINTAIN SOCIAL
CONNECTIONS
TAKE A BREAK
TAKE CARE OF YOUR
PHYSICAL HEALTH

11. REACH OUT FOR
HELP if needed
Exercise
KEEP A ROUTINE

12.  Try Meditating
Spend Time
on Your
Hobbies

14. Questions/
Discussion