MANAGING YOUR ANXIETY ABOUT CORONA VIRUS
Corona Virus or COVID 19 is something you have probably heard about at least 4-5 times today alone. Since January the spread of Corona virus has been in the news and the situation seems to be getting scarier with each passing day. If you are someone who already struggles with anxiety (especially anxiety around health), these past couple months have likely been difficult and it only seems to be getting worse. The international worry surrounding this virus seems be ramping up, as people stockpile up on masks and disinfectant. A little anxiety is always health, it helps us to remain cautious, be proactive, and take positive action. However, when our anxiety level rise and pass a certain threshold, it can start to turn into panic and become unhelpful. You may notice that the more time you spend watching the news, the more intense feelings of anxiety become, and you may panic if you are around someone sneezing or coughing, jumping to the worst case scenario. Remaining on such high level of high alert can leave you feeling distressed and scared. Also, the funny (but not funny) things is, that high levels of stress can impact your immune system and increases your risk for becoming sick. So what are some ways you can combat this anxiety?
1. Try to avoid assumptions and look up reputable sources to get your information. Rumors and misinformation only add fuel to anxiety. Having the most accurate and up to date information can help ease your worries. The CDC, WHO and Health Canada websites are excellent resources that will give you the most up to date information on status of this virus.
2. Spend time with friends. Being with friends and family during stressful times can be a huge source of support. Try as much as possible to stick to your daily routine, and don’t isolate yourself because of a fear of catching the virus. We are quite safe in Toronto and those individuals who are infected have been quarantined, so you are more than able to go and spend quality time with the people you care about.
3. Take a break from the media. The news cycle can be your worst enemy. There is a tendency to sensationalize and dramatize the situation, which can make it seem more dangerous than what it actually is. Stick to one or two reputable sources and try not to take in content about the virus all day.
4. Take a mindfulness break. Make some space in your day to engage in a mindfulness practice and take notice of the thoughts that are coming up for you without judgement. Going for a walk, or listening to a guided meditation, whatever mindfulness practice works for you. You can check out our past blog posts on mindfulness for some suggestions if you get stuck on what to do.
Helpful Links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
