CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY : COPING WITH STRESS , FEAR AND WORRY

Fear about COVID -19 can take an emotional toll , especially when we are already dealing with an anxiety disorder. But we are not powerless , we can handle ourselves and even our loved ones in this critical time and situation. To tackle with all the anxiety, stress , fear , worry we need to follow just few simple steps to lead a happy and a positive life.

The first and the foremost step towards this is :

1.      Understanding our anxiety :

We all know that it’s already the most frightening and unexpected part of our lives.  All of us are struggling with one or another thing. Some of us are might be in a state where the coronavirus rates are certainly higher and the situation is getting worse and some might be bracing what will come up next. But all of us are watching and wondering , “ WHEN IS THIS GOING TO END.” But there are many things which we can do to even in the phase of unique crisis to manage our stress and anxiety.

2.      Stay informed but donot obsessively check the news :

It is important for us to stay informed about the things that are happening around us , but the thing which is more important than this is to be a part of only important things that needs to be known as there is a lot of misinformation going around as well as the sensationalistic coverage that only feeds into the fear.

3.      Focus on the things you can control :

We are into the times of massive upheaval . There are things that are not in our control but there are things which we can obviously take a control on. We cannot take the control of severe coronavirus outbreak  in our city or town but we can surely take steps to reduce our own personal risks such as:

·        Washing our hands frequently.

·        Avoid touching our face.

·        Staying home as much as possible.

·        Avoid crowds and gatherings.

·        Following all recommendations from health authorities.

4.      Stay connected even when physically isolated :

It is important for all of us to stay connected as best we can and reach out for support when we need it , even as we cut back on in-person socializing. Make it a priority to stay in touch with friends and family. Be mindful of how social media is making us feel. Don’t hesitate to mute keywords or people who are exacerbating our anxiety. And log off if it is making us feel worse.

5.      Help others ( it will make us feel better ) :

At this time , it is likely to get caught up in our own fears and concerns. But the most important thing in this part is “ WE’RE STANDING FAR APART NOW SO WE CAN EMBRACE EACH OTHER LATER.” There is still a plenty we can do to help others:

·        Follow guidelines for preventing the spread of coronavirus.

·        Reach out to others in need.

·        Be a calming influence.

·        Be kind to others.

·        Donate food and blankets.

“WE CAN DEFINITELY END THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC SOON BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS HOW WE WILL BE DEALING WITH IT. “

THANK YOU !

BLOG BY : ADRIJA MAHAJAN