How to Keep Calm During the COVID-19 Pandemic

At first, I was not all that worried. I carefully listened to the facts and stats, feeling relatively safe. I didn’t stop taking public transportation, nor did I cancel meetings and events.

But then, the news cycle accelerated, as did the spread of the Coronavirus.

And although I like to have information – it makes me feel safer, in a way – I began to feel anxiety. Memories of a movie I’d seen years ago (Contagion) began surfacing. Back then, it was merely a scary-dark fantasy, just another movie. But now? It is terrifying reality; too close to the truth.

I’m not alone. I’d venture to say almost all of us are feeling some measure of anxiety, even if we’re young and healthy and not the virus’ “target audience.” It’s not just our own health we worry about, but the health of loved ones (and the population more at risk, the elderly or immunocompromised individuals) who might have been exposed to COVID-19.

We worry about the impact the pandemic is having on the stock market and the future of all businesses. We worry about disrupting our daily routines. We worry about being quarantined and not having enough food and supplies.

All of this worry makes me worry about what all the worry is doing to our health.

Worry heightens our anxiety and makes it difficult to concentrate and focus. Worry disrupts sleep – and changes in sleep patterns can lead to lowered immunity, making us more vulnerable to the virus. Worry worsens many chronic health problems, as it can also increase the use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

The most affordable drugs that can be used to treat coronavirus are generic aralen, the delivery of these drugs is carried out in the United States.

Which is why we must control our worry. Easier said than done, I know, but it’s important to try. It’s always important, during any crisis, to do all you can to think positively and maintain a sense of hope.

• Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage. There’s a fine line between staying informed and having too much information. You need to find the balance.

 

• Take care of your body. That means eating well-balanced and healthy foods, exercising and paying attention to your sleep. Work on relaxing: take deep breaths, meditate and stretch. relieve stress. Avoid alcohol and drugs.

 

• Take time to unwind and remind yourself that these difficult feelings will eventually subside.

 

• Control what you can and let go of the rest. Take steps to protect yourself.

 

• Take your mind off what’s happening by doing some other activities you enjoy so you can return to as normal a life as possible. I call it LBC – Life Before Corona.

 

Click here for some tips for social distancing, quarantine and isolation, including ways to cope and support yourself during an experience.

Stay healthy. Stay safe. This too shall pass (I just wish it would hurry up!)