6 Tips to Deal With Coronavirus Anxiety

The outbreak of the disease caused by Covid-19 has plunged the world into uncertainty and dread. The panic state is real. However, the stress induced by constant misinformation about the coronavirus via news and social media platforms dampens the person’s immunity system, leading to increased vulnerability to the disease. This state is especially difficult for those who have general anxiety issues and OCD.  Hence, it’s important to understand how to manage our stress and anxiety levels during this outbreak. You should not take a real threat lightly, nor you should lose your head and allow the fear to paralyze you. Here are a few tips that would help you push back your anxiety caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

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TIPS TO MANAGE CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY

 

1. Set limits around news on COVID-19
    

Avoid excess watching, reading, and listening to the news that induces stress and anxious thoughts within you. Constant monitoring of news updates and social media feeds can intensify feelings of worry and stress. You need not be updated at every second about the recent developments of the disease. Consider turning off automatic notifications. Decide a specific time during the day to learn about it and don’t scan the news throughout the day.

 

  2. Seek accurate information on COVID-19 from legitimate sources
 

Reach out to the right and reliable sources for grabbing information about the disease. Limit yourself to reading the news from official sources like the World Health Organisation (WHO). Avoid learning about the disease from WhatsApp forwards and social media feeds.

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  3. Self-care- Look after your Physical and Mental well-being
 

As news about coronavirus (COVID-19) dominates the headlines and public concern is on the rise, it is important to monitor your physical and mental well-being equally. Look after yourself and focus on the things that you can really control i.e your hygiene, eating healthy meals, increasing water intake, getting good sleep, and incorporating physical exercise in your daily routine. Indulge in activities or hobbies that manifest positive emotions within you.

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  4. Wash your hands- but not excessively (OCD patients)

 

As mentioned above, OCD patients may experience increased levels of anxiety. OCD Actions has seen an increase in support requests from people whose fear the coronavirus pandemic. The spike in anxiety levels about the virus can fuel existing obsessive fears of contamination and trigger destructive compulsive actions. Hearing about washing hands can be a trigger for them. So it’s important to seek professional help and talk to people about the same to your loved ones.

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  5. Employ the “APPLE” technique to manage your anxiety
 

• Acknowledge: Notice and acknowledge the uncertainty as it comes to mind

•  Pause: Don't react as you normally do. Don't react at all. Pause and breathe.

• Pull back: Tell yourself this is just the worry talking, and this apparent need for certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don't believe everything you think. Differentiate between your facts & feelings.

• Let go: Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don't have to respond to them. You might imagine them floating away in a bubble or cloud.

• Explore: Explore the present moment, because right now, at this moment, all is well. Practice grounding techniques. Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, and what you can smell. Right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else - on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the worry, or do something else - mindfully with your full attention.
   

   6. Stay connected with people
 

Being under house arrest can be very depressing, especially for those people who are struggling with emotional concerns. Be in touch with your friends and loved ones via video calls and messages. Call your friends or your loved ones at your place and hang out with them. 

 

If practicing all of the above tips mentioned above doesn’t help you cope with anxiety induced by the coronavirus, then reach out to a professional for help.