As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow throughout our country, most people are experiencing some sort of anxiety and fear about it. After all, there are so many different facets of the illness.
What anxieties are you personally experiencing regarding the pandemic?
Perhaps you’re worried about moving beyond social distancing or nervous about going back to work or your kids going back to school. Or maybe you or family members are at increased risk of infection and you’re concerned about safety. And it’s understandable that you may feel anxiety about whether or not treatments are effective, should you or a loved one become ill.
Every aspect of our lives has been affected. Much of the way we live has been upended. We’re tired of it, but we’re also scared. We want life to return to normal, but we don’t know when that will be or if it will even be possible.
As tempting as it is, though, it’s important to not let our anxiety about COVID-19 take over our lives. There are steps we can take to manage it as we navigate our way through.
1. Educate Yourself
Treatment Options
While it may seem like little progress has been made regarding how to treat COVID-19, there have been big steps forward. Of course, there have been unfortunate, conflicting opinions over medicines like hydroxychloroquine. But overall, doctors have learned ways to help their patients. Effective medicines have been identified, and treatment has come a long way from the uncertainty of March.
It may also help you to consider the statistics of the infection. Researchers believe that many more people have been infected than previously thought. This means that the percentage of those who become very ill from the virus may actually be much less than believed.
2. Ease Into Socializing
After so many months of being stuck at home, the thought of actually beginning to make inroads back to some from of normalcy may seem impossible. After all, living in isolation has quickly become one of the things we know we should do for everyone’s good.
But you can take it slow and begin with small steps if you’re anxious about increasing your public interactions. Wear a mask, wash your hands and use sanitizer, and follow social distancing guidelines. Meet a friend somewhere outdoors and ease back into socializing.
3. Be Proactive
If you’ve been working at home, you may be anxious about going back to the office. You can ask your employer what steps they’re taking to ensure cleanliness and worker well-being. And, of course, you should consider implementing your own safety measures as well.
4. Take Care of Yourself
As with any illness, your chances of being infected and the severity of your illness if infected can be lessened if you’re taking steps to boost your overall health. Getting some kind of regular exercise, seeking nutritious foods, and using vitamins such as D3 for immune health are all steps you can take to take care of yourself.
5. Limit Media Exposure
Unfortunately, sometimes the more news coverage we watch about the pandemic, the more confused we become. It’s easy to get sucked into the never-ending cycle. Consider limiting yourself to no more than an hour a day of TV and online news sources to help you keep emotional balance and a measure of peace.
6. Use Anxiety Management Skills
If you’re already aware of helpful anxiety management techniques, continue to use them. These include deep breathing, exercise, thought stopping, progressive muscle relaxation, and more. Allow yourself some diversion and pursue a hobby that helps calm you. And if you never had to deal with anxiety before, there are many resources that can teach these skills.
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If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unable to function as a result of your anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic, please consider reaching out to my office for help. Addressing your anxiety is very important, you can learn more here.
The effects of your anxiety are no less real than the coronavirus itself. With help, you can learn how to manage your fears surrounding the pandemic and begin to move forward into our new normal.