We are almost eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic with no true sign of it letting up. This can lead to fears about COVID-19, which can take an emotional toll on everyone, especially if you already suffer from anxiety. But it is important to note that you are not powerless. In fact, you can overcome these feelings of fear, anxiety, worry and uncertainty. To help, here are some tips you can follow to get through this stressful time.
Understand your anxiety
The first step to getting through this is to understand your anxiety. We understand that it is a frightening time, but the more you know about what you are experiencing, the better prepared you are to know how to address this.
It seems that the hardest thing to handle is the uncertainty of the pandemic because we see surges in some areas while others brace for what might come. We still don’t know how exactly this will impact our day-to-day lives moving forward, how long it will last or just how bad things might get. And that just adds to the anxiety related to the pandemic.
Don’t obsessively watch the news
It is OK to stay informed, but it is important to not overwhelm yourself by obsessing over the news. With so much misinformation going around, it is important to be discerning about what you read and watch:
- Stick to trustworthy sources.
- Limit how often you check for updates.
- Step away from social media if you begin to feel overwhelmed.
- Ask someone reliable to share key updates with you.
- Be careful what you share.
Focus on what you can control
There are so many things going on in the world around us that we cannot control. That only adds to the stress and anxiety you may be feeling. It can be extremely hard to accept, but it is important to identify areas you do have control over.
For example, why you can’t control the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can take proper preventive measures to reduce your own personal risk. Those include:
- Wearing a mask.
- Washing your hands frequently.
- Staying home as much as possible.
- Avoiding crowds and gatherings of 10 or more people.
- Keeping 6 feet of distance from other people.
- Following recommendations from health authorities.
There is a lot going on around us these days, but it is important to keep your wellness in check. Without it, this pandemic can cause even more problems such as coronasomnia (or lack of sleep) and jaw pain.