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.<\/p>\n
Social media is your lifeline \u2013 but switch it off if needed!<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u00a0NetNuus<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0News24<\/a>. However, keep in mind that too much news is not good for you. The\u00a0BBC<\/a>\u00a0writes 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.<\/p>\n Apps that make everything more bearable<\/strong><\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\n 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\u00a0active as possible<\/a>.\u00a0Litnet<\/a>\u00a0offers several online school programs to help especially high school kids with the upcoming exams. For the little ones, there are programs like\u00a0Oatu en Eara<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Edublox<\/em>\u00a0that combine listening, learning and playing. It will stimulate and keep them busy.<\/p>\n Stick to office hours<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s time to \u2018go home\u2019 and switch off. Take advantage of an online platform such as\u00a0Slack<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Wrike<\/a>\u00a0that 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.<\/p>\n\n