coronavirus anxiety

You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t experience some fears about Corona virus or Covid-19. There are many reasons why anxiety about this disease is spreading throughout the world and the main cause for this is the lack of information about this disease.

To interrupt anxiety when a situation like this occurs, some appropriate steps can be applied to make living through this epidemic an easier journey.

We are all together during this time, but to maintain peace of mind, you may find the following helpful:

1- Knowledge is power- Listen or tune in to trusted news sources and follow the CDC’s advice on steps to stay healthy.

2- Boost the immune system- Eat right and stay away from a junk food diet. Try to eat lean protein (meat, poultry, fish, dairy), fresh or frozen vegetables (frozen may be your best option since no one handles them in the food market). fresh or frozen fruit (frozen might be your best option again, since they are not left or handled).

3- Exercise- Take off the anxious energy and keep moving in fresh air and sunshine, without crowds of people. This will increase endorphins, raise serotonin (the feel-good chemical) in the brain, and lift your spirits. It will also calm an overactive mind. Leave your worried head inside when you go for a walk.

4- Logic and Common Sense- Being cautious is fine and especially so in this case. I suggest you apply even more caution during this time, but don’t think that worry and fear will serve you well. Take moments throughout the day and remind yourself that you are doing all that is necessary and that anxious worry is of little use.

5- Take care of others- During a difficult public health crisis, the elderly often require additional healthcare. By offering a helping hand, you get out of your own head and this is therapeutic in itself.

6- Music, Hobbies and Relaxing Activities- Quiet your mind through whatever interests you and get you out of worry and panic mode. Lose yourself in things that get you out of your worried head. Lose yourself in a book you’ve wanted to read but never had time to. Meditation is always helpful, along with yoga.

7- Make smart decisions- Use your logical mind to choose activities that make sense to you. Smaller dinners with fewer friends or family, movie rentals, event postponements that can be risky may be the best options right now.

8- Self calming- Once you learn to settle down and calm down, the adrenaline rush begins to subside. We are what we think and being logical and careful at the same time is the best way to calm ourselves. If panic interrupts your life, due to the accumulation of fearful thoughts, let it go, while telling yourself the truth of the situation. Facts matter and are your strength against unnecessary anxiety and panic.

9-Keep a cool head- Focus on the here and now. This is the safest place of all. Yes, plan for any future events, but staying in the present moment takes the sting out of “what if” thoughts. In fact, change the “what ifs” to “so what.” Nothing is merely black or white in nature. There is always the gray area. Take a break from reading or watching the news before bed. Everyone needs a break from overthinking the situation, especially if getting a good night’s rest is your best defense against an overly anxious mind and body.

10- Communicate- Stay in touch with good friends and family. Even if you can’t be together, there are always ways to connect online, through chat or face-to-face interaction. Making the best of a difficult situation takes a bit of ingenuity, but it helps prevent stress chemicals from being released and results in a calm mind and body.

Above all, remember that you are not alone. Nothing you are going through is different or unusual than anyone else. Talk about your feelings with friends and family and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how similar your feelings are to theirs. Time takes care of many of these events and learning to get through them as smoothly as possible is to your advantage. Thinking with a cool head, eating correctly, resting when you are tired and keeping the proper perspective of the situation is your best weapon against anxiety and stress in these times.