One thing that we’re all aware of now is that things returning to normal the way we knew it is just wishful thinking.
July is already here and not a semblance of normal can be seen. Take a look around you. Things sure do look different today compared to how they looked like last year.
Even with lockdown restrictions taken a few notches down with the states’ reopenings, infectious-diseases experts still recommend we take extra caution as we slowly return to travel, barbecues, swimming, ice cream parlors, and summer camps.
This year, summer includes the deadline for filing taxes which is fast approaching. On top of gathering crucial data for filing your taxes and working on a property tax reduction, you also have remote work to think of while your children are at home with you. It’s a good thing springtime already gave you some sort of rehearsal for this season — sort of.
With everything on your plate right now, it’s no surprise if just the thought of navigating summer is enough to stress you out.
Fret not. We’re here to help you get through this season in one piece.
Accept your reality and embrace it.
Denial as a coping mechanism does more damage to a person than it helps. It hampers personal growth and could lead to depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and worse, suicide.
Learn to accept the realities surrounding you. Deal with the brutal facts. COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. The states have been reopened because there will be an economic collapse if they stay under lockdown. This means that even if the restrictions have been more relaxed for the past few weeks, the threat of the disease is still real.
Some folks are hopeful that the disease will somehow be neutralized by the hot summer weather. However, if the weather is a measure, then tropical countries like Brazil and the Philippines should have lower positive cases but that opposite is true.
Accepting that this is our reality now, that our movements are limited and opportunities few will help us toughen up, plan accordingly and move forward.
Go outside and do something.
Even if the climate is not enough to slow down the rapid spread of the virus, studies have also proven that outdoor activities at this time are a lot safer than indoor activities in public places. Summertime gives us plenty of opportunities to do outdoor stuff with our family.
The evidence of outdoor transmission is little — not zero, but at a minimum — compared to indoor infections.
Still observe COVID-19 safety regulations.
The amount of time spent outdoors is not as much a concern as the amount of time you spend near people. For this reason, make sure that you still keep your distance from other people whenever you’re outdoors with the family.
Keep hand sanitizers handy in case there are no avenues for frequent handwashing, and keep those masks and gloves on to keep the risk of contracting the disease at a minimum. Whether you’re out in public or at home, make sure to still comply with the safety regulations recommended by the CDC and WHO. Keep your home clean at all times and sanitize it frequently.
Make your home a comfortable place to hang out in.
You will not be spending the whole time outside, especially when the sun is scorching hot, so you might as well make your home as comfortable as possible. Under this new normal, travel is limited so most probably you will be spending a lot of time at home, especially if you’re still under remote work arrangements.
Make sure your air conditioning system is working well and your home is well-ventilated all around. If you don’t need to go out, stay indoors as much as possible. Be wise and discerning in deciding when and when not to go out with the family.
At this point, we all need to toughen up mentally because the battle against the novel coronavirus isn’t over. However, this shouldn’t take away any opportunities for you and your family to still enjoy a pleasant summer.
