An Anxious Person’s Guide To Staying Grounded During A Global Pandemic
We are amid one of maybe the scariest global crises we have seen in our lifetime — the COVID-19 (or coronavirus) pandemic.
In a matter of days, people’s lives have been uprooted. Schools are closed; people are being mandated to stay home; recreational activities are cancelled. People are being forced to adapt to a new lifestyle that they could have never fathomed just a couple of weeks ago.
This is a time of intense fear and anxiety, even for those with no mental illnesses. We do not know how long this pandemic will last and how many the virus will affect.
Though we face uncertainty, I can tell you, as a person with an anxiety disorder, that you will make it through. Here are some tips to help you with that:
Take A Break From Media
I know as a person with anxiety, reading too much of the news can be scary. It can get to your head and make you feel you have little control.
We are being bombarded with news articles and social media posts about how quickly the virus is spreading. Some information is accurate; some of it is not. But what is certain is that reading too much of the news can be fear provoking.
Switching off the news and stopping refreshing your Twitter feed can help quell anxiety immensely. Limiting your news consumption to one or two reputable news sources can also help you feel less anxious. Try for sources like the Center for Disease Control (CDC) if you’re in the United States or your local news channel. Avoid reading too much, and remember that for the most part, the news will report from a worst-case scenario perspective.
Stay Connected
Right now, we have to stay home. It is in our best interest to distance ourselves from our loved ones, especially those who are most vulnerable. This can make us feel isolated, so it’s important to stay connected to other people.
Thanks to technology such as FaceTime, Skype, and social media, this is easier than ever.
We can connect to others within a matter of seconds to help feel less lonely and help our mental well-being.
Reaching out to your loved ones can make a big difference in times like these.
Keep Your Mind Occupied
If you’ve been meaning to try a new hobby or pick up an old one, now is the time to do it.
Keeping your mind busy can help you stay occupied and not think about the pandemic. Whether it’s reading a book, baking an old family recipe, or picking up a guitar, distracting yourself is highly recommended.
Worry About You
We are hearing recommendations (and sometimes, mandates) to social distance yourself from other people. Too often, I’ve been seeing people worry that other people aren’t following guidelines. But unfortunately, you have no control what other people do. But who you do have control over is yourself.
If you don’t feel comfortable being in proximity of someone, you have the power to move to relieve your anxiety. You can follow the guidelines to protect yourself.
As difficult as it is, you are only in control of you.
