Coronavirus is not just affecting people physically, itโs causing a lot of anxiety too. Coronavirus Anxiety is a legitimate thing now.
The last few days have made the dangers of Coronavirus very evident, and naturally, everyone is freaking out. Schools, colleges, offices and most public places have been closed off due to the fear of the virus spreading at an astounding rate. Grocery stores are running dry and people are literally fighting with each other for hand sanitizers, masks, and toilet paper! Itโs clear that the world is gradually unraveling.
Apart from the physical dangers this virus presents to the human race, it is also imposing a mental toll too. People are increasingly becoming very stressed out and anxious. Anxiety is probably the hardest thing everyone is going through, due to the fear of death looming large.
What makes Coronavirus Anxiety equally serious is the fact that the World Health Organization has even released advice on how to protect your mental health during this pandemic.ย
However, the good news is that there are quite a few things you can do to safeguard your mental health and reduce your anxiety. It might prove to be a challenge sometimes due to the excessive panic surrounding you, but itโs worth a try, isnโt it?
Here Are 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce Your Coronavirus Anxiety
1. Take a break from social media
The only thing that everyone is talking about on social media is Coronavirus. You will find two kinds of people on social media- The first kind is the ones who are genuinely worried about their and their loved onesโ safety and health. The second kind is the ones who are focused on creating more panic than anything else.
Even though you might like to know about the status of the world, its advisable to take time off from all kinds of social media. At least for a few days. Contrary to what most people believe, social media does not always give out accurate news. A lot of it turns out to be just conjecture and rumors and ends up adding fuel to the fire.
Are you hooked on social media? Read The Unwanted and Often Unavoidable Damages Social Media Has In Our Lives
2. Try to limit your news intake
Just like social media, all the news channels are predominantly covering everything related to this pandemic. If you constantly read news about Coronavirus, then naturally, you will develop Coronavirus Anxiety.
Lots of people around the world are talking about their struggles with this, and how itโs preventing them from leading a normal day-to-day life. Temporarily staying away from news channels and all the media channels that are broadcasting Coronavirus can help you to calm yourself down. Focus on your peace of mind and mental health.
Due to the panic and chaos all over the world, a lot of misinformation is being spread. To stop yourself from falling victim to such practices, stick to trusted and official sources of information like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).ย This will provide you with all the information you are looking for, and also wonโt make your anxiety worse.ย
3. Wash your hands, but donโt go overboard.
Yes, the best way to fight Coronavirus is to frequently wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to keep them clean. But, you need to make sure that you are not being too paranoid and wasting water. In order to fight one crisis, try not to start another one.ย
Keep your hands clean but donโt end up wasting water and causing a water shortage. Prevent yourself from going overboard, and keep a calm mind. It has been advised by the CDC to wash hands for 20 seconds, several times a day especially if you have been in public spaces or after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.
Keep in mind that, that does not mean you will have to wash your hands every 5 minutes! Water is a necessity not just for you, but for everybody in your city, country and the world, and a shortage of it can prove to be catastrophic.
4. Engage in other things.
If you have chosen to stay away from the news and social media, then this is the perfect time for you to indulge in other activities. Meditation is a healthy choice, as it can tremendously help you with Coronavirus Anxiety.
Try to invest at least 15-20 minutes every day in activities like meditation, controlled breathing or yoga, as these will help you calm your mind and body down. Apart from this, you can immerse yourself into all those hobbies that you could not find the time for, due to your hectic schedule.ย
Read your favorite books, cook your favorite dishes, workout at home or just simply spend some quality time with your family and relax. Do what makes you happy and gives you peace of mind. In such a panicky situation, you need to mitigate your stress and anxiety in some way or the other.ย
Looking for some new hobbies that will nourish your mind? Read 5 Good Hobbies that can Improve Your Mental Health
5. Connecting to people.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with everything that is going on around you, then you can talk to someone close to you. Even if you follow all the above-mentioned steps for mitigating your Coronavirus Anxiety, and you still feel scared, then talking to someone you love and trust can help you.
Speaking your heart out and sharing your feelings with them will make you feel a lot better, and can also help in getting rid of your anxiety. In case talking to a close one doesnโt help, you can meet with a licensed professional or counselor, who can aid you in coping and fighting against these negative emotions.
It looks like Coronavirus is here to stay for some time but your anxiety does not have to. You might not be able to eradicate this virus for now, but what you can do is calm your mind, so that the anxiety associated with it does not control you. Be strong, have faith in yourself and be positive!
If you want to know more about how you can deal with Coronavirus Anxiety, then check out this video below:
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