Anxiety can be paralyzing. According to Jennifer Tzeses from Psycom, anxiety can create great unease and consuming worries within a person. The experience of anxiety in a pandemic is no exception – in fact, the symptoms may be worse.
COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, has ravaged much of the world with illness, fear, and uncertainty. Health fears, employment, education, and the duration of the lockdown have been increasing people’s anxieties, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
However, the pandemic does not have to overwhelm you with anxiety and fear. People are able to cope with and conquer their worries with some calming solutions.
1. Accept the circumstances and remain in the present moment.
Tzeses states in her article the importance of allowing one’s self to accept the circumstances at hand; therefore, when one grows to understand that uncertainties will always be a part of life, anxiety will more likely be reduced and they’ll be able to focus on the present.
2. Reduce time spent on social media and the news.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, when one is constantly perusing the news or involved in conversation regarding the pandemic, anxiety can increase. Thus, in order to reduce anxiety, distancing oneself from the news, or engaging in conversations about the coronavirus may be beneficial.
3. Maintain self-care.
Self-care is important in managing anxiety, according to Fiona Thomas from Healthline. Eating healthy, exercising, having positive affirmations, and journaling are some ways to take care of one’s self.
4. Maintain interpersonal connections.
According to Dawn O’Malley from NAMI, remaining connected – even just virtually – is able to help reduce anxiety and help people feel less lonely. Physical distancing doesn’t have to equate emotional isolation. Anxiety can be overcome in this pandemic through hope and love.
References:
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/March-2020/How-to-Ease-Children-s-Anxiety-About-COVID-19
https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/covid-19-and-anxiety
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-calm-anxiety#7
https://www.psycom.net/ease-anxiety-tips