10 Steps That You Can Take To Manage Anxiety Related To COVID-19
Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... read full bio
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COVID-19 has had a massive impact on all of us, and many have had to get used to lifestyles that we weren’t exposed to before. Many of us are facing challenges that can be overwhelming, stressful and can lead to an increased level of anxiety and stress. During this time, you need to learn to cope with stress in a healthy way that will help you feel a lot better. This pandemic has taken a toll on our mental and physical health, relationships, and much more. Many of us have lost family members, friends, and other loved ones to the virus, and now, with the second wave hitting us, things seem to be worse than ever. Understandably, you might have some fears, doubts, and hesitation about the pandemic. So if you are feeling super anxious, then here are ten steps that you can take to manage any anxiety related to COVID-19:
1. Limit Checking For Updates
A lot is happening in the country right now. You might be facing an overload of information, and even if your information is from credible sources, it can be pretty alarming and nerve-wracking. Unless there is an emergency situation, make sure that you keep your news updates to once or twice a day at the max.
2. Understand That It Is Okay To Feel Anxious And Sad
This pandemic has taken a massive toll on the mental health of not just you but plenty of people around you. It would be best if you accepted that it is perfectly normal to be upset and anxious at this time. Validating and acknowledging your feelings is the first step towards improving the state of your mental health and trying to feel better.
3. Work On Improving Your Physical Health
Although most of us are stuck indoors, we must get the right kind of exercise and maintain the physical health of our bodies. Exercising can help kickstart the release of your happy hormones, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Following a steady exercise routine can help you maintain some semblance of everyday life.
4. Focus On Things That You Can Control And Change
Remember that while certain things are out of your control, there are plenty of others that are totally in your control. Focus on doing things that make you happy. Maybe you see painting as a way of escaping your surroundings, or perhaps you like prepping your meals beforehand. This will make sure that you gain control over your surroundings and stay calmer.
5. Connect With People Who Bring Love And Positivity
You need to use the time that you have in isolation to stay connected with your loved ones. If you were looking to cut out people who have been a negative influence in your life, now is the best time to do so. Staying connected with your loved ones online is the safest way to keep your ties strengthened while also letting off some steam. You can engage in online gaming tournaments with your family and play virtual games with them.
6. Watch Something Light-hearted
When you are picking content to watch, choose wisely. Now is not the best time to watch movies like The Contagion or World War Z. Instead, it would be best to focus on watching content that is more light-hearted, humorous and will help relieve your anxiousness. Maybe you can even start watching a new series or have a movie marathon (Harry Potter style).
7. Offer To Help Your Community If You Can
If you are someone who is able to and can afford to buy supplies and resources, try offering help to members of your community. Not only will you be doing your own part for society, but this will also help you combat loneliness and maybe even make new friends. Becoming a member of communities both offline and online can really help you get in touch with those in dire need of treatment.
8. Consider Seeking A Therapist
Therapy is not something that is affordable to many, but during this time, many psychologists have been reducing their fees and trying to offer more help to those who need it. Many offer a free first consultation as well. Consider talking to a professional about any anxiety you may face and figuring out the right way to help with the symptoms.
9. Take A Break From Social Media
While social media can be quite a blessing during this time of need, it’s easy to feel affected by what you see online. Maybe your friends in other parts of the world are vaccinated and living their best lives. Or maybe, your more well-off friends have decided to quarantine at a fancy resort and are now bragging about it online. Well, the sad reality is that there is nothing you can do about it. Instead, you can cut out the distractions, mute and unfollow people or just take a break from using social media altogether. We guarantee that it will have a positive impact on your mental health.
10. Meditate Or Journal Your Daily Activities
Journaling is something you can definitely consider as it won’t take up much of your time and will help keep you distracted and calm. If you have not meditated before but want to do so, breathing exercises can help lower your heart rate and keep your mind calm. However, if there are other hobbies and activities that you enjoy and that keep you safe, whether it is cooking and reading to cleaning, invest some time on those.
With the right precautions, we will be able to get through this second wave peacefully once again. We must try our best to help out and make the world a better place for not just us but for everyone. Do let us know all of your thoughts in the comment section below.
