Coping with Stress and Anxiety Associated with the Coronavirus Outbreak

Rana Ragab - Mar 2020

Health & Nutrition

As the entire world becomes significantly impacted by the threatening coronavirus, there are alterations we need to accept in relation to our work and lifestyle. And through all the uncertainty, we are required to stay cautious yet very calm because there is no other choice.

You might be feeling scared, worried, and confused with all the catastrophic events happening and you have every right to be wondering what’s next or what level of destruction this pandemic virus is going to reach.

With the constant breaking news, never-ending discussions, opinions and advice we are getting from here and there, it is becoming overwhelming and increasingly distressing. We are being bombarded with coronavirus information wherever we go, it’s all over television channels, radio, of course social media.

For those already dealing with anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or any other condition, it is more likely ten times harder for them to consume this information and stay calm, because these people often have elevated stress levels and certain fears. If we’re not directly affected, then for sure we are suffering in some way as a result of the uncontrollable consumption of news.

Although the government, health professionals, press and news reporters are doing all they can to keep us safe and help overcome this horrific disease as soon as possible, their powerful influence is causing people’s stress levels to heighten. Many people are already experiencing emotional and mental discomfort due to the numerous precautions and social distancing that is being insisted on.

Many of us might never encounter Covid-19 but fear of the unknown drives us to do anything in order to feel secured, such constantly checking our symptoms on Google. In fact, this could really go against us if we start to believe everything we feel, read and hear because these symptoms could be something else, possibly due to being rapidly stressed out.

Apart from maintaining good hygiene and ensuring safety measures, it is also important to stay mentally and emotionally healthy regardless of any frightening situation. Below are some tips to help you cope with your coronavirus anxiety:

Break away from social media every now and then because it is an endless cycle of news that could negatively influence you.

Get into the habit of working out, go for a walk/jog and embrace the beauty of nature. Or do some yoga or meditation at home, as this will help reduce anxiety and boost your immunity.

Consider doing an online course or learning a new language, it could be beneficial later on when the world gets back to normal.

Enhance your skills and find new ways to manage your time, particularly if you’re working from home. Perhaps get into the habit of keeping a journal and creating a work plan that works well for you.

Be grateful and focus on the future by establishing goals, this will help you become more optimistic and remind you that the crisis will soon be over.

Spend some quality time with your parents, siblings and close friends while you have the time, spread love and care because that’s the most important part and a lesson we should all learn.

Finally, support others if you can as some people may need to hear some positive words through all the negativity that we’re facing today.

stress anxiety fear panic coronavirus epidemic pandemic worry health illness disease

Coping with Stress and Anxiety Associated with the Coronavirus Outbreak

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