What are some tips to ease your anxieties about COVID-19?
- Stay hygienic
- Filter media exposure
- Focus on things you can control
- Talk to friends and family
- Stick to a routine
There are not enough words to describe the extraordinary nature of the situation we live in. Many of the habits that people have become used to have been drastically altered to accommodate the new lifestyle changes that we have to adapt to. It may also be understandable that people won’t know how to ease their anxiety about COVID-19.
No one really expects anyone to remain as calm as they can be around this time. But there are things that we can do to support those who are struggling daily in dealing with the developments regarding COVID-19. If you belong in this category of people, then you may want to learn about these simple tips you can follow to ease your anxiety about the pandemic.
Stay Hygienic
There is no shortage of media and news outlets looking out for the interest of public health, telling us to stay hygienic. On the surface level, this is a way for us to properly arm ourselves against contracting the virus. On the other hand, this is also a good starting point in reducing the anxieties we may feel about the current global situation.
We can remain hygienic in simple ways such as practicing the proper handwashing techniques, disinfecting high-contact surfaces in our home, and also wearing facemasks if we’re heading outside. We should also look out for the safety of our loved ones by forwarding them accurate safety tips in keeping them sanitized all the time.
People who are anxious may feel powerless around this time. Knowing they can do something as simple as practicing proper hygiene helps them regain some form of agency or control.
Filter Media Exposure
Another way for you to reduce your anxiety levels during COVID-19 is by filtering your media exposure. This does not necessarily mean that you would have to shut yourself off from media outlets that are relaying important information about the virus. This simply means that you limit yourself to only those media outlets that are reliable.
For example, you may want to steer clear of television. Especially if you want to avoid seeing or hearing distressing footage and images that may worsen the quality of your mental health. You may want to switch to alternative news sources that can be found on online platforms. Just make sure the information you’re learning comes from trustworthy news sites.
Setting a schedule for watching television or reading news articles is also a good way to limit your media exposure. Instead of engaging in this activity for the whole afternoon, you may break it up into segments in the day or the evening.
Focus On Things You Can Control
It’s not always easy for people to channel their worries towards things that they have control over. To give another example, constantly worrying about large scale issues relating to COVID-19 will only exacerbate your anxieties.
Instead, you may want to channel your energy towards keeping yourself and your family safe. Many people have ways of coping with their anxieties, but if constantly reminding your loved ones to follow safety precautions is something that helps you reduce your anxiety, then it’s certainly welcome.
Other precautions that may help in easing your anxiety include staying indoors as much as possible, practicing social distancing, and limiting non-essential movement.
Talk To Friends And Family
There may be a tendency for some people to bottle up their emotions. They fear that no one would really want to listen to them or that people would become dismissive about their worries. You may be surprised, however, by the number of people who are willing to lend a helping hand to you around this time. This is why another good way for you to relieve your anxieties is by talking to your friends and family.
During this time, it’s important for people to band together. Now more than ever, we need the support of our friends and families in this shared struggle, as well as struggles which we may be dealing with by ourselves. Though the circumstances could be better, this time can also be used to catch up with friends who you haven’t talked to in a while.
Stick To A Routine
As mentioned before, drastic lifestyle changes can be overwhelming for anyone to deal with. People need to feel like they have some level of control over at least one aspect of their life. As such, sticking to a routine is one of the best ways of bringing back some sense of normalcy into one’s life.
At first it may be difficult to follow, but habitual actions that are done over time make it easier for you to form a routine. For example, you can set up a time to wake up every morning. After which, you can fix yourself up with a filling meal for breakfast. Eating the most important meal of the day helps you energize yourself in the morning to more efficiently work on the things which need to be done. Take this opportunity to direct your talents towards more productive and creative avenues such as learning a new skill or simply catching up on work-related backlogs.
When establishing a routine, make sure that you’re accompanying it with healthy eating habits as much as possible. You’d also want to make sure you’re doing activities that make for a healthy and constructive lifestyle.
Key Takeaway
It may be difficult for you to ease your anxiety about COVID-19 especially if you don’t know where to begin. However, if you know the basics such as keeping yourself hygienic throughout this time, then that’s already half the job done.
When it comes to relieving your anxieties about the pandemic, the best piece of advice is to remember that you’re not alone in this struggle. As long as you keep in close communication with people you trust, then you’re already on the right track.
