[ Editor's Note: This is the third of four articles in a series on action plans for different walks of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.]
For young adults, the risk of contracting the coronavirus or a negative result may feel small. Research studies show that when young people talk about risk reduction, they tend to relate to reducing social or reputational risk. As a young adult, you may be in the same boat. While the individual risks of COVID-19 may seem small to young people, it should be noted that infection can worsen the health and financial security of your community and make it much more difficult for you to find work, especially when you are graduating .
If you remember that your youth and health give you superhero powers, you can play a more active role in this crisis to protect yourself and those you love. The line from the Spider-Man comics and films reminds us: "With great power comes great responsibility." You have the power of good health and it is your responsibility to help solve the problem by yourself and protect others.
Here is an action plan for young adults, teenagers and their parents.
1) Get reliable information.
A deep understanding of how people see risk is critical to stopping the spread of disease. A similar understanding of COVID-19 can help young people participate readily, rather than being upset about authority. It is important that you view breaking physical distance guidelines as risky, not only for yourself and those you love, but for your entire community.
The same applies to understanding your economic risks. Analysts believe that young workers and new graduates may be more affected as they work in the food, retail, and hospitality industries – places that have a tougher impact if consumers stay more at home. If you get reliable information, you can change the expected changes.
2) Check the group pressure. Prioritize security over reputation.
An obvious reason for prioritizing social standing over health risk is peer pressure and the need to adapt socially. After COVID-19, there were numerous articles in the media that highlighted young people who continued to gather despite social distance guidelines. There have also been reports of young adults violating protection and social distance orders to meet lovers and potential contacts because they feel compelled to do so by friends.
One way to escape social pressures is to plan your response in advance. Hosting remote meetings and parties could be one such answer. With the advent of social media, distant meeting places are trending.
Action Plan for Students and Young People
In this difficult situation, it is best to look at the positive side: we have incredibly valuable time to spend at home. This unprecedented situation we are experiencing affects everyone. Young people can also learn to deal with what they can control so that they emerge stronger. We can use this crisis to help them grow as resilient, autonomous people. Here is an action plan that can help students and teens make the most of this situation.
1) Keep a structured routine – a time for everything.
It is particularly important to follow a predictable routine. Develop a schedule that includes activities such as family sports, reading books, and working with the rest of the family. It is important that students, especially teenagers, spend time doing productive physical activities. Get out there and throw the ball, shoot a few baskets, walk around the block, or just do some jumping jacks.
2) Continuing education through reading and writing.
Two other important activities for students and young people in this crisis are reading books and writing thoughts. This time at home is the perfect opportunity to read books and stories that have been on the shelf for a while. If possible, we recommend reading as a family, including reflecting on the content of the story or answering questions that arise after reading.
If you write thoughts or a diary of the events of the day or a gratitude journal about things that you enjoy, you can still put these circumstances into perspective. If you've graduated from high school or college this year, consider staying in school to advance to the next level of education. It could help you find a higher paying job in the future.
3) Join in.
Participation in household chores and taking responsibility for “their things” (their room, their clothes, etc.) are particularly motivating for older children and adolescents. Working together in the kitchen looking for new recipes or cooking (especially if personal assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa are available for recipes) can also help develop growth and autonomy.
There are various ways in which students and young people can take their place at this moment in history and make this time more pleasant. They can write letters to older adults in their families or communities and show appreciation to health workers by sending prayers to them and the sick. It is good for young people to develop a sense of belonging to their communities and to know that their actions make a difference.
Action Plan for Parents
Maintaining a routine is important to maintain your mental health (just like your children). Keeping to a schedule can help to create a little normalcy in this unexpected situation and reduce your anxiety level as your brain feels under control.
Be a team. Keep it in balance. If you have a partner, try alternating who looks after the children or prepares meals. Most importantly, tell your team about your needs. Remember that flexibility is key in times of crisis. Be nice to yourself; you are doing the best you can.
Although we have not yet seen the full extent of the economic slowdown triggered by COVID-19, analysts currently expect that we will recover once the virus is under control. So wait.
****
Esther Scott, LPC
Esther Scott is a licensed professional consultant in Arlington, Texas. She is a solution-oriented therapist. Her areas of expertise are grief, depression, coping skills and couple counseling. Contact them through their website at positiveactionsinternational.com.
****
It should not be assumed that opinions and statements in articles that appear on CT Online reflect the opinions of the publishers or guidelines of the American Counseling Association.
