After Pres Cyril Ramaphosa addressed South Africa for the first time on the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, South Africa, like the rest of the world, is in chaos. While it is essential to take the necessary precautions to limit the irreversible effects of the virus, it is also important to remain calm – not only for your family, friends and children but also for your own sake. The use of technology can do wonders to help you cope with the panic that is caused by such a pandemic. Here are some tips to help you use technology to your advantage in times of uncertainty.
Social media is your lifeline – but switch it off if needed!
The use of social media has elicited many discussions on social, political, religious, and other issues, but if the fourth industrial revolution did one good thing, it is to enable us to have immediate contact with loved ones on social media. If you are far from your friends and family in other countries, use social media to stay in touch and inform them about your safety. There are WhatsApp, WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Instagram and other common applications. Also, stay abreast of the news with regular updates on apps like NetNuus or News24. However, keep in mind that too much news is not good for you. The BBC writes about the negative impact of excess news and information through social media on your mental health, especially if you are already struggling with anxiety disorders.
Apps that make everything more bearable
If you have decided, like many other people, to isolate yourself to prevent the possible spread of the virus, the inside of your home may soon leave you feeling a little confined. The secret is to stimulate your brain and change your routine a little every day. There are a variety of apps that can help with this, for example:
- Audible – It offers a wide range of audio books to choose from and also a few for free to those who do not feel confident to buy and listen online.
- Headspace – It is an excellent app to help you meditate or relax. The app aims at teaching people how to practice mindfulness and it also provides sleep programs for people struggling to sleep the necessary eight hours each night.
- There are also several apps that offer home exercises. Be active and stay up and running!
With schools closed, it is a challenging time for parents with children who soon become bored. Although it is very easy to let them watch TV all day long, it is important to keep their minds as active as possible. Litnet offers several online school programs to help especially high school kids with the upcoming exams. For the little ones, there are programs like Oatu en Eara and Edublox that combine listening, learning and playing. It will stimulate and keep them busy.
Stick to office hours
If you work from home during this time, it is important to adhere to rules that separate work and home. Stick to your office hours, for example from eight to five, and the necessary breaks in between. Turn off your email notifications when it’s time to ‘go home’ and switch off. Take advantage of an online platform such as Slack or Wrike that can help you determine when to work and when to relax. Walk away from your computer when you feel overwhelmed by the transition to a home office.
Stay informed
Of course, technology can also help you in times of need. The government recently introduced a WhatsApp emergency number that people can use to stay informed of notifications. A lot of false information is spread that can cause chaos. Stay informed and make the right decisions for your safety and that of everyone else. The website SAcoronavirus.co.za also offers information.
Share visual, informative messages with your friends and help each other keep the germs and dangers in check. A pandemic can only be overcome by putting the necessary measures in place. Self-isolation and staying informed are the best you can do for the country’s security, economy and future.
Keep your brain and body as healthy and active as possible during these uncertain times and use technology to make things more bearable.
