The HuffPost released an article by Kelsey Borresen with some tips from therapists for those that are anxious about the Coronavirus.
“Therapists, many of whom are now holding sessions via phone or video calls instead of in person, are working through these concerns and others with their clients. We asked mental health professionals how they’re approaching the anxiety around COVID-19 with their patients. Hopefully their advice will provide you some peace of mind during an overwhelming time.”
1. Find new ways to connect with co-workers, friends, and family.
“Connection can lessen anxiety and bring you closer to center…create a virtual dinner or game night. Get creative!” “Just because we might be physically isolated, doesn’t mean we have to be socially isolated. Hop on the phone, FaceTime, text, Slack, Google Hangout, etc. Fortunately we live in a time where there are many options to choose from to stay connected.”
2. Keep your daily routine as consistent as possible.
“As much as possible, keep your same wake-up and bed times, brew your favorite drink in the morning, take a soothing shower, do an at-home workout instead and read a chapter of your favorite book at night. These actions seem small, but a little peace and comfort can go a long way.”
3. Focus on what you can control instead of what you can’t.
“What can you control and what can you do about that which you can control? Use these as reality checks.” One thing you have power over: your own self-care and health practices. That includes getting rest, eating nutritious foods, and practicing social distancing.
4. Be extra gentle with yourself.
Instead of beating yourself up for not being as productive as you normally might be, practice self-compassion and give yourself a break. You’re doing the best you can in some less-than-ideal circumstances.
5. Cut back on your media exposure.
While most of us want to stay informed, the constant talk about the virus in the news and on social media can be overwhelming and can feed into our fear and anxiety. That means setting some parameters around how much you consume and where you’re getting your updates.
6. Keep things in perspective.
“While there is a lot of scary news out there, try your best to take a deep breath and remind yourself that most people who contract COVID-19 will only experience minor symptoms.”
7. Make sure you have enough of any medications you take.
8. Know that a little bit of anxiety isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Full-on panic in times of distress is unproductive, but a small does of fear or anxiety can actually be helpful. These emotions, however unpleasant, motivate us to prepare for and protect ourselves against potentially dangerous situations.