Emotion: depression
Problem: ongoing depression
Situation: daily stresses

user: Hello, I am here to talk about my daily stresses

assistant: Hi there.

user: Hi pleased to meet you and hope you're doing well

assistant: yes, Thank you. and i hope you are doing well as well

user: yeah I am okay. Just daily stresses such as disrupted life routines from the pandemic and growing anxiety as my city is facing the beginning of the second wave.

assistant: i surely understand you. this pandemic has been really stressful.

user: yeah you bet for example, I only go out once or twice a week for my job, and once every two weeks for groceries. And that's it. But even then, when I have to be in close quarters with coworkers and even to go out for groceries, that scares me.

assistant: yeah, people are not social distancing enough. but wearing a mask and then using sanitizer should at least give us a bit of a confidence

user: like it was only this tuesday when my city finally acknowledge there's community spread and second wave, when it has been happening slowly for the last two weeks! it's irresponsible and they share information slowly to the public and don't disclose enough information. And they are still not shutting down gyms or restaurants, when they are the main sources right now in my city.

assistant: at least now i hope the city will put in more restrictions and mandate mask wearing.

user: yeah I have been doing all that, with the washing of the hands and so forth. The situation at my job is unavoidable but I am still as careful as I try to cope. well, it's only today they brought the limit to social gatherings from 10 to 5.

assistant: have you tried reaching out to mayor's office to see if there is any way you could request for more restrictions. most of the cities do have a hotline or a channel for residents to give suggestions or request something

user: too slow and they don't believe in shutting down essential businesses when that will stop it once and for all after two or three weeks. They did that earlier this year for the first wave and that pretty much did the trick. And today they openly said that unless deemed necessary, they will only shut down selective places because restaurants need to stay open for business, etc.

assistant: hmm, that's a bummer.

user: yeah there's a local line but it's a pretty big city and it wouldn't really matter what I say

assistant: okay

user: but anyhow, I have been conferring with my friend pretty much daily on the phone and that does help with social support. But thanks for that advice, it's a good idea

assistant: that's great. having a supportive friend/family is so much a blessing during this pandemic

user: yes definitely, since I live alone and pretty much self isolated since March of this year. I have gotten used to it and more comfortable. Before I was more nervous, lonely, and claustrophobic. It is better now but my fear is coming back due to the rising cases.

assistant: yeah, i can understand. do you have any hobbies or interests that you can work on to help you put your mind away for sometime?

user: yeah thanks for listening. And this does impact my daily routines, from my workout patterns, sleep patterns, and diet. yeah somewhat but not productive energy. I tend to be lethargic, immobile at my computer for long times, surfing the net aimlessly when I should be studying, and just distracted.

assistant: there are a good number of online forums for most of the hobbies/interests.. that'll help you share your work and also get some additional ideas

user: and I sleep real late and wake up real late. It's all backwards and unhealthy and I am disappointed in myself. I also work out less because I can work out at home but I have done that less and less as somehow I don't feel motivated. okay yeah good idea. I can look for more videos too on such resources like I don't play any musical instruments but that would be great for a distraction like that or to pass time or to improve on a craft or project.

assistant: putting away my phone has helped me a lot. also, i have designed a daily routine to include more of the tasks that i like

user: Just pretty much my studies with two online courses and not even reading anything outside of school. And even then, my school work ethics suck and I am kind of disappointed at my lapses that way. ok yeah great ideas

assistant: yeah, try to start learning a new musical instrument of your choice. maybe just 30-60 mins everyday.

user: I have started to put away my phone as I realize that I use it a lot too

assistant: nice

user: So I put it at the opposite end of my room for example started doing that lately and so the screen time has reduced somewhat so just trying to channel my productive energy into finishing school deadlines

assistant: social media and then this relentless flow of covid news/info is also stressful

user: yeah for sure, especially following up news from around the world and in the states just stressful loads of news just catching up to daily events and as for daily schedule, yes I have kind of more control on that too as I try to write down what I should do now and set an alarm to start doing this at this time etc, especially in juggling my school work. but yeah your ideas are great and match my thinking exactly

assistant: yepp. i read a book - 'atomic habits'. and kind of designed a daily routine. this helping me a lot and reducing stress as well.

user: I see. okay I will keep doing that. I will search that book too, interesting title

assistant: and also try and note down things that stress or upset you. and then over a period try to avoid those triggers.

user: okay then. I am good to go on that note. Thanks for reaching out and listening. It's great that you understand and am providing great advice. ok kind of a reminder on what stresses me and to avoid that etc that's great like a debriefing you've given a lot of great suggestions actually. Thanks a lot for that

assistant: yepp. and if you try to remove or avoid those triggers, it will really help

user: you've been quite helpful for sure. I believe that also avoiding stressors and cope

assistant: sure no problem. hope you get through this and also be able to successfully complete your school courses

user: yeah I am okay. They are coming to an end at end of this month and next so dialing down so I am at a crunch period. Thank you again and I hope you well also. And keep staying well and safe.