For most people, sheltering-in-place has its challenges. I am one of them.

My daily routine has been turned upside down, including (1) I am no longer going to the office, (2) I can’t go to the yoga studio for my workout routine, and (3) I am unable to socialize with my friends.

Without a doubt, you have your own list of things you can no longer do or that have changed. Maybe you have children and they are now home from school, while you still have to work from home. All of this can be pretty stressful and possibly depressing.

According to Harvard Business Review, we are not alone in this grief. Yes. Grief!

In his article That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief , Senior Harvard Business Review Editor Scott Berniato interviews grief expert David Kessler, who explains why we are grieving:

We feel the world has changed, and it has. We know this is temporary, but it doesn’t feel that way and we realize things will be different. Just as going to the airport is forever different from how it was before 9/11, things will change, and this is the point at which they changed. The loss of normalcy; the fear of economic toll; the loss of connection. This is hitting us and we’re grieving. Collectively. We are not used to this kind of collective grief in the air. (Berinato, 2020, para. 5)

Here four steps to help you manage COVID-19 grief:

1. Try to calm yourself by being present. And don’t be afraid to name what you are feeling as grief. This is a good time to meditate, walk, knit or engage in any type of activity that relaxes you. Instead of running away from your feelings, allow yourself time to process what’s going on by grounding, accepting, and letting it go through you.
2. Stop feeling guilty about feeling sad. Sadness is a common reaction to this type of crisis. You are in the same boat as thousands of other people who are feeling COVID-19 grief. Yes, others might have it worse, but their situation won’t improve because you are feeling bad. One of the best things to do right now is to be kind to yourself and put your own oxygen mask on first.
3. Focus on the positive. Engage in activities that you can do during this crisis that help to cheer you up, like talking to a friend or going out into nature. While you might feel hopeless and sad, remind yourself of your blessings. What are three things that you can think of that you are grateful for? Finally, if you have the resources, consider helping others in this crisis who are less fortunate. For example, here a list of volunteer opportunities posted by the State of California (2020).
4. Create a new routine. For many, the shelter-in-place order has turned our lives upside down, with many people suddenly working from home or not working at all. Retired astronaut Scott Kelly (2020), who spent a whole year isolated from planet earth in the space station, has found that creating a schedule is the best way to successfully adjust to change; and this includes scheduling work as well as fun activities.