Fear has become a constant feeling while the whole world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between daily news headlines, press conferences, and social media buzz, escaping from the sense of panic around the virus seems like an impossible thing to do.
But learning to deal with this stress is very important for both your physical and mental health, otherwise the effects of anxiety in your whole body may be worse than the actual COVID-19 symptoms.
In order to tackle this issue as efficiently as possible, the first step is to understand the anxiety you are feeling. The fact is that this is a frightening, uncertain time we are living through.
With cities and even entire countries shutting down completely and the constant bombardment of news depicting a very blurry outlook for the future it is only natural that you respond by feeling stressed.
Stress is your body’s way of keeping you alert and alive. But too much stress can take a real toll on your body and mind, so it is important that you learn to manage it.
How can you ease your anxiety?
Stay informed
For many people, the hardest thing to handle during this crisis is the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus. Staying informed may be the best way to combat this uncertainty because it will be easier for you to understand what you can control and what you can’t.
Be careful though, there is a lot of misinformation and sensationalistic coverage going around that may feed your fear instead of alleviating it. So, make sure to stick to trustworthy sources to get the latest news and limit how often you check for updates.
Get enough sleep
The first thing that happens when you are very stressed is that you aren’t able to sleep or rest as well as you used to. Getting enough sleep helps support your immune system so make sure you are getting a good night’s sleep.
Get moving
Exercise is very important because it helps reduce your body’s stress hormone, cortisol, while triggering the release of mood and happiness boosting endorphins. So, head out for a daily run, get on your bicycle or choose any form of exercise that doesn’t require close contact with others and get your body moving.
Eat a healthy diet
A balanced diet is a key element when you want to manage your anxiety, but this is usually easier said than done due to the fact that stress usually makes you want to ditch the healthy food choices and turn to less nutritious comfort foods. It is important that you focus on eating fresh, unprocessed, whole foods to help keep your immune system strong.
Limit alcohol intake
Although stressful times seem like the proper moment to have a few drinks to help you relax it actually will have the opposite effect on you. Sure, you will feel relaxed for a very short while, but in the long run alcohol can disrupt your sleep and it might also lead to increased anxiety and a terrible mood.
Spend time with friends and family
Spending time with your loved ones has been shown to boost your happiness level. This is true even if you are only hanging out with friends and family through video chat or phone calls. So, make sure to make time to be in contact with friends and family during these difficult times.
To learn more about how we support you during this global crisis, reach out today.
