Navigating the COVID-19 crisis: Tips from a ‘Quaranteenager’ in Charlotte
Being a teenager is by no means easy. Every day, teens are faced with the stress of classwork, friend drama and extracurricular activities — all of which contribute to a burdensome amount of confusing and sometimes overwhelming emotions.
Throwing a global pandemic into the mix produces a whole new array of unimaginable challenges that teens must overcome. Some are missing their first high school sports seasons, their choral concerts, their last high school prom or even their graduation. No matter what each teen may be missing out on, they all seem to share the common feelings of disappointment, stress and isolation.
Teens have been pulled away from the structured routine that a normal school day brings: with early wake-ups, hour-long classes in a room full of half-awake students, social interaction with peers and respected adults, sports practices, and hours of homework and studying. The absence of a systematic routine leaves students, especially teenagers, more likely to slip into a pool of bad habits.
While the phased reopenings of states across the country are allowing people to finally enjoy eating out at restaurants, shopping at malls and even traveling, COVID-19 still poses significant risks. Will our world ever be the same? The truth is, probably not. Parents and students all over are all wondering the same things. Will students return to school in the fall or continue with distance learning? If schools reopen, will teens be forced to wear masks? Will schools shift to a staggered learning schedule in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus? These are all questions we are unable to answer yet, creating a new level of anxiety and fear.
Although it is impossible to know what the future holds, I have put together a list of tips for teens just like me, who are struggling with the uncertainty and unpredictability of the coronavirus pandemic.
(1) Know that it is OK to have stress and anxiety
If news articles and television programs telling of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases are making you feel scared and distressed, you’re definitely not alone. In an interview with UNICEF, psychologist and New York Times columnist Lisa Damour said, “Psychologists have long recognized that anxiety is a normal and healthy function that alerts us to threats and helps us take measures to protect ourselves.”
If you’re feeling especially anxious, go to a parent or trusted adult for advice. It is better to talk about your feelings than to keep them bottled up inside.
(2) Check in on your friends and family
Even the happiest of people may be struggling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. They miss spending time with others and now feel a wave of sadness and depression caused by isolation. In a time when social media is so prevalent, use it to your advantage.
For example, call or FaceTime family members just to see how they’re doing. This may seem small, but it will mean a lot to them. You could also hold a Netflix party and virtually invite some friends to watch a movie or TV show with you. In addition, host a lunch Zoom call with some of your closest school friends and relive some of your most favorite memories from the past school year. With the constantly-evolving technology we have access to, there are so many ways teens can stay connected with loved ones, even without being able to meet in person.
(3) Stay busy
Although staying busy may seem like an extremely difficult thing to do when places like amusement parks, shops, movie theaters, etc. are closed or operating on limited schedules, it will allow teens to take their minds off the anxiety and fear surrounded by the thought of the pandemic.
If you’ve been wanting to read a new book, learn a new language or try out skateboarding for the first time, now is the time to do so. Executing tasks and learning new things is a terrific way to keep your mental health in check. Below is a list of things teens can do virtually this summer:
- Take edX courses: edX offers free online courses by Harvard, MIT and more. There is a huge range of subjects, guaranteeing that every student will find something interesting. This is a great way to keep your brain healthy and strong over the summer. (For a fee of $45, you can receive a verified certificate of completion).
- Share books through a Little Free Library: Donate some of your old books for others to enjoy to a Little Free Library box near you.
- Organize a PPE drive in your area: Many hospitals are low on personal protective equipment, like masks and gowns. Send out emails to family and friends to see if anyone has extra PPE gear to donate. State-by-state links to hospital and health clinics can be found on the website.
(4) Stick to a schedule
Even though summer has begun, sticking to a schedule is still important, especially to teenagers. This doesn’t mean that you need to wake up at 6 a.m., and be in bed by 9:30 p.m., but you should create a schedule that works for you and stick to it. For example, you might aim to be in bed by 11 p.m., and wake up by 9 a.m. Then you may walk the dog or go for a run, as exercise is an important part of any daily routine. Setting small goals for yourself like the ones listed above will allow you to maintain healthy habits.
(5) Be positive
Although teens all across the world have expressed feelings of anger and disappointment about having missed out on numerous opportunities and activities, it is important to keep a positive attitude and mindset amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Use the time away to better yourself and be productive. This is a learning experience for all, so treat it that way. Look after your friends and family, support your local restaurants, write letters to friends and be kind to all. Instead of looking back on the pandemic as a time of despair and gloom, you will remember it as a time of deep personal growth.
Additional resources for teens:
- CDC’s Covid-19 Website
- An Opportunity for Teens to Blog
- Buzzfeed: 12 Teens On Being Stuck At Home Because Of The Coronavirus
- Buzzfeed: The Teens are Doing Coronavirus Lockdown Right
- Teens Adjusting to a Coronavirus Summer: Staying Positive Amid the Craziness
- Teens and Covid-19: Challenges and Opportunities During the Outbreak
- Tools for Mental Health During the Pandemic
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 11:18 AM.
