Coronavirus (COVID-19) has many of us thinking about our health and safety, worrying about our kids or whether we have enough toilet paper in the house. We’re all having some type of stress reaction. Anxiety is normal and expected in these situations.
You or loved ones may be feeling:
- Overwhelmed or helpless
- Anxious or fearful
- Numb
- Lonely or isolated
- Irritable
- Angry
Pay attention to your body. You may have:
- Rapid or erratic heart rate
- Upset stomach
- Low energy
- Hyper energy
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
We may be in for an extended period of upheaval as officials work to get the spread of coronavirus under control and develop vaccines and medicines to manage it.
Meanwhile, the healthiest thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones is to take some steps to cope with your feelings and take control where possible.
Here are a few things you can do to better cope with the stress you may be feeling
- Speak up. Talk about your feelings with people you trust, like family and friends. Being open about your anxiety is the first step to relieving it. You’ll probably find that they’re having similar feelings and supporting one another is good for everyone’s emotional health.
- Keep to your routines. School and work closings may make this challenging, but as much as you can, stick to your routines. Plan meals, eat at the regular times, maintain your sleep schedule, get fresh air and exercise, and practice good hygiene and self-care. During times of chaos or uncertainty, maintaining routines goes a long way toward helping you feel more in control of your life.
- Stay connected. We’re all in this together and we need to support one another! Keep in contact with friends and family by phone, texts, email and videoconferencing. Your support system is especially critical in times of crisis; focus on being there for each other in whatever ways feel comfortable and safe to you.
You may have free access to New Directions for emotional support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit their website for more information about special situations.