Routines, social connections important

By Angie Landsverk

Those feeling anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to keep routines, focus on what they can control and find ways to stay connected to others.

“Finding and keeping a new routine is so important,” said Jessie Jenson. “Routine keeps predictability in life. When someone has that, the person knows what to expect. That helps anxiety go down.”

Jenson is a licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin and the owner of Insight Counseling in Waupaca.

The pandemic has resulted in layoffs and furloughs for some.

Others are working from home – sometimes for the first time in their careers – and also balancing family life.

What Jenson notices when she talks to her clients is uncertainty is the biggest cause of anxiety right now.

People do not know when this is going to end, she said.

They do not know if their jobs are going to end.

Throughout the country, physical distancing measures are in place to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Isolation and mental health

“Social isolation is just about the worst thing you can do for mental health disorders. But people are finding themselves in this spot,” she said.

Jenson said people are complying to keep themselves and others safe.

However, the social isolation and lack of connection is a sacrifice to their mental health.

Jenson has a number of recommendations for those experiencing anxiety.

She said they need to find and keep new routines.

Those now working from home should get up, go for a walk, have a breakfast and then start working, Jenson said.

People should also think about what they can control in their lives.

“Focus on things you can control right now versus what you can’t control,” she said. “I can’t control someone in my family getting the virus. I can’t control whether my job’s getting shut down.”

But Jenson said people can control their own hygiene, how much social distancing they do and their consumption of news and social media.

Staying connected

Staying connected to others is also important, she says.

Jenson said people do not need to be physically by each other to be connected.

“One thing about technology is I don’t need to be sitting next to you to be connected with you,” she said.

Jenson said email and text messages are great, but talking on the phone daily to someone or through video is the better way to stay connected with them.

She also advises people to get out of their house.

“Sit in the front yard. Go for a walk. Go for a drive,” Jenson said.

Her recommendation for those in therapy is to keep the appointments with their counselors.

“Continuation of care is so important,” she said.

Jenson said that is related to predictability.

“I’m here and they know I’m here,” she said.

Telehealth

Jenson is currently seeing all her clients through telehealth.

She began doing so the week of March 23.

“I have been using telehealth over a year now,” she said.

Because Jenson is licensed in the state of Wisconsin, she can see anyone in the state through telehealth.

“I’ve been using it for a while,” she said. “It wasn’t too much of a transition for me. I’m now 100%.”

She was already using telehealth for clients with physical disabilities and for those away at college.

Jenson said the platform she uses is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

She encourages people to check if their insurance covers telehealth and noted most in the state currently are due to the pandemic.

Jenson has noticed her no show and cancellation rates are much lower now.

She has also noticed something else.

“I feel a lot of my sessions the last week and a half have been more about connecting than therapy,” Jenson said. “There’s been more conversation.”