I Was in West Africa During the Ebola Outbreak. Here's How to Get Through Lockdown.
For many, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be a worrying and confusing time. COVID-19 is a new-to-humans viral strain in the coronavirus family that causes symptoms like fever, shortness of breath and dry cough. We know of loved ones who are at risk, key workers putting themselves at risk, and sometimes it seems like this will never end. And now, the United Kingdom is in lockdown. For those of us who have struggled with their mental health, this is a worrying and lonely time. Will there be enough food and supplies for me? How do I get relief from being indoors all the time? How do I cope with being alone?
The COVID-19 pandemic feels familiar to me, because from 2014 to 2015, I volunteered in the very midst of the Ebola outbreak.
At the time, I was allowed to travel to and from work, go outside with caution, and as for food, going to the shop whenever I felt like it was restricted too. A lockdown was introduced into the country to stop the spread of Ebola.
Five weeks of being in an unfamiliar environment, and only really leaving my accommodation to go to work, was tough! But here are some lessons I learned the hard way. I hope they help you during the 2020 lockdown:
1. Talk to people.
A phone call, text, or WhatsApp message can make all the difference. Tell someone how you’re spending your day, share your frustrations, support each other. We’re all in this together, and now more than ever we need other people.
2. Start a new hobby and find a way to be productive.
Keeping yourself occupied works wonders, something that takes your mind off the current situation. In Sierra Leone, I read books during my limited downtime. And now, 15 minutes of learning a new language on DuoLingo does far more for me than 15 minutes of scrolling past COVID-19 memes on social media! Or perhaps it’s DIY, reading, writing that book you didn’t have time for, playing an instrument or learning something new.
3. Exercise and rest
Looking after your mental health is challenging enough without a pandemic, but now more than ever some exercise will help. In fact, before I deployed to Sierra Leone, the importance of exercise was emphasized to all the volunteers. There are plenty of YouTube videos to choose from, or you can devise your own circuit training/exercise routine. Take time to rest, be kind to yourself. It’s OK to take time for yourself.
4. Focus on the end
What will be the first thing you do once this is over? We don’t know when things will return to normal, but having something to look forward to helped my mood tremendously in Sierra Leone. And it doesn’t have to be something big — going to Sainsbury’s and being able to get exactly what I wanted, with so much choice, was an incredible experience in itself!
If you’re struggling due to the coronavirus outbreak, you’re not alone. Together, we will get through this.
Concerned about coronavirus? Stay safe using the tips from these articles:
Ebola volunteer; love to read, write, and travel; fascinated by science and the world around us.
elaine-b