{"id":114377,"date":"2020-03-25T11:29:21","date_gmt":"2020-03-25T21:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=114377"},"modified":"2020-04-02T13:47:22","modified_gmt":"2020-04-02T23:47:22","slug":"kims-covid-coping-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2020\/03\/25\/kims-covid-coping-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Coping with social distancing: a UH<\/abbr> Hilo professor\u2019s how-to guide"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Bryan
Bryan Kim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Hilo<\/a> professor of psychology shares scientific reasons for social distancing and provides his top 10 coping methods during the COVID-19 crisis.<\/p>\n

In an article from UH<\/abbr> Hilo Stories<\/em><\/a>, Bryan Kim<\/strong> discusses the importance of social distancing and home quarantine, behavioral interventions for COVID-19 and 10 suggestions to improve behavioral and mental health during this pandemic. His article is the first commentary in a series on the COVID-19 crisis.<\/p>\n

Kim\u2019s top 10 to do list<\/h2>\n

#1 Practice social (physical) distancing with aloha<\/strong>
\nVerbally state that you are practicing social (physical) distancing when you see a familiar person to show that you care about their health.<\/p>\n

#2 Wash your hands often and keep often-touched surfaces clean<\/strong>
\nWash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and wipe high-touch surfaces often with appropriate cleaning tools.<\/p>\n

#3 Social (physical) distancing does not mean emotional distancing<\/strong>
\nSocial (physical) distancing does not mean you cannot stay for a chat with a friend and relatives—just keep six feet away from each other.<\/p>\n

#4 Care for our kupuna<\/strong>
\nReach out to our kupuna via phone or perhaps even video-chat with them and see how they are doing and if they need anything.<\/p>\n

#5 Care for our young ones<\/strong>
\nTalk to your young ones and assure them that we are doing things to help all of us, and as long as we keep doing them, we will be okay.<\/p>\n

#6 Reach out to others for support<\/strong>
\nReach out to others through the use of video-communication platforms such as Skype, Facetime, Google Meet and Zoom. Communicating to trusted others about what you are experiencing inside can be incredibly therapeutic.<\/p>\n

#7 Obtain accurate information, limit the amount of stressful information and stay away from the real fake news<\/strong>
\nIdentify news sources that you know are valid and credible and set a limit as to the amount of negative news you view. Seeking out positive news, such as neighbors supporting neighbors, can be helpful.<\/p>\n

#8 Exercise is therapeutic and physical care is important<\/strong>
\nExercise will help you feel less stressed and more relaxed. Take care of your physical health through good nutrition and a sufficient amount of sleep.<\/p>\n

#9 Laughter is healing<\/strong>
\nFind sources of laughter. Humor and laughter are therapeutic and will make you feel better.<\/p>\n

#10 We are in this together!<\/strong>
\nShare the importance of social (physical) distancing and home quarantining to everyone around you.<\/p>\n