The spread of the Delta variant in Yangzhou has a tremendous impact on our lives. People have adapted their lifestyle to help curb the spread. Many of us have been in lockdown for more than ten days, and it hasn’t been easy. Lockdown has proved to be the effective strategy to keep the virus at bay. People may feel isolated or lonely, which could trigger further stress or anxiety. It takes time to adjust to these new circumstances.

Remember, you are not alone! We are all in this together, and we are here to help.

Here is some advice to cope with stress:

Make a Plan

Be consistent and stick with it.

Ensure you have a healthy and regular diet and get plenty of sleep.

Find a Hobby

Delve into passions such as music or calligraphy, or try learning a new skill. 

Enjoy the process.

Seek Support

Chat with roommates and families.

Try to have a wide range of topics, avoid talking too much about the pandemic. 

If your roommates or family are not around, try to stay in touch with them via phone calls or video chat. 

Remember you can always call your teachers.

Exercise regularly

This is especially helpful when you feel agitated. 

Do some indoor exercises. 

There are many videos online which can give you guidance and inspiration. 

You could also try to set a time frame to video call your friends to exercise together.

Reflect upon your experience

Think about what we learn from this experience.

Yangzhou is China's new hotspot for the Delta variant of COVID-19. To win this battle, we shall keep a positive mind while following protective protocols. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel! The in-person campus life is awaiting us!