Stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic: Zurich helps

The current situation: Zurich supports its corporate customers’ employees

January 25, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic is placing a strain on many people. Zurich therefore offers support to its personal insurance customers and their employees in this situation if the emotional burden becomes too big.

Zurich personal insurance customers can count on extensive support for their employees: Specialized Case Managers will help employees get back to work after suffering a serious accident or an illness. Psychological distress also becomes more important as a reason for long-term absences.

Help in a crisis

In addition, the Prevention Team is on hand to provide our corporate customers with advice and support with regard to their role as employers. The reasons why someone seeks advice with them are as diverse as people’s living situations themselves:

SME entrepreneurs: Finding perspectives

Many SME entrepreneurs are fearing for their existence, as they have either had to shut down their business or they have no customers. This is a real threat that causes psychological strain for many people. These worries often affect the whole family because too many stress factors convene at once.

Tips for SME entrepreneurs

You surely already know about the support options offered by the state, your professional association or your bank that you can take advantage of. Don't hesitate to make use of all the help that is available to you, be it financial, emotional or even just purely practical.
Network with other entrepreneurs who are stuck in a similar situation and exchange ideas with them – some examples: delivery services, online services or payment via app. Make use of existing platforms such as hamsterli.ch.
Keep in touch with your employees: this situation is placing them under strain as well. Try to support each other and work out solutions together.
Use the downtime to do all the things you previously didn't have time for; for example, bookkeeping, making a homepage or working out a marketing strategy. This will put you in a position where you are ready to go when you are really operative again. After all, you can look forward to the fact that this exceptional situation will hopefully soon be over.

Those who live alone: Connect with the world

It is currently difficult for single people living alone, who can feel isolated and alone with their fears. Maybe someone has moved into their own apartment for the first time and doesn't dare to visit their parents anymore. Others used to be out with their friends all the time and now feel shut in. The mood is tense even when shopping and you have to keep your distance everywhere; this intensifies the feeling of being alone.

Tips for those who are on their own

Keep in touch with other people: Have a conversation from balcony to balcony with that neighbor you like, call friends regularly or network via internet forums.
Offer your support to people around you: Could you take over certain tasks for a colleague with children? Learn English with your godchild over Facetime? Or do the gardening for a neighbor who is looking after a sick partner?
In particular, those living alone can take advantage of this situation to find some breathing space. Use the new-found time to rediscover a neglected hobby, to learn something new or to redecorate your apartment.
Keep reminding yourself: The dry times you are currently experiencing probably won’t last for long; things will gradually return to normality. That said, do not hesitate to seek help if the strain becomes too great.

Working parents: Preventing overload

Working parents can be pushed to the limit, as the possibilities for children’s activities are severely reduced. Perhaps all their childcare options have also dried up. This is an even bigger problem for single parents or those whose partner works in the medical field, for example. However, even if both parents are suddenly at home 24 hours a day, conflicts can arise.

Tips for working parents

Discuss how you can create a balance between work and family with your employer. Employees who have to reduce their workload temporarily to care for their children can apply for compensation for loss of income from the compensation office.
Right now, you cannot be perfect on all fronts: Is your hair color growing out? Has your shower head calcified? Is the ironing piling up in the bedroom? Don't be hard on yourself: focus your energies on what's really important.
To avoid violent conflicts in overly stressful situations, it is important to relieve anger in a different way: Go into the bathroom and shout? Run for ten minutes? Or listen to loud music with headphones? The main thing is that you feel better afterwards.
Try to enjoy beautiful moments together as a family in spite of all the stress. Siblings in particular might cultivate a new relationship to one another. And reserve some small moments of "me time" for yourself, even if it's only a warm bath in the evening.

People who suffer from anxiety: Don't let your worries take over

The around-the-clock reporting on the coronavirus is especially upsetting for sensitive people. Many people are extremely worried about getting sick or infecting someone in a risk group. This situation can also increase existing anxiety or other psychological strain.

Tips for people with high anxiety

It's a fact that the current situation is unsettling and it is natural that you are worried. However, it is important not to let these fears take over your life. If you find yourself only thinking about the virus or if anxiety is keeping you awake at night, these should be taken as alarm signals. In these cases, you should definitely seek out support – from your family, friends or even from a counseling center or psychologist.
Do not shut yourself off completely: maintain contact with other people – this is also possible if everyone maintains distance and wears a mask. Ensure you get enough exercise. It not only strengthens your immune system, but also reduces stress and lifts your mood.
Be aware that you can reduce your risk of infection by following the FOPH's safety measures. Switzerland has one of the highest standards of living in the world and an excellent healthcare system.
Consciously do something good for yourself. Listen to beautiful music, treat yourself to chocolates, watch a comedy or sit in the sun on the balcony. Positive moments can also happen during the corona crisis – and so they should.