The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. It’s normal to feel anxious and worried during a national crisis as we don’t know how long it will last and how it will impact our lives. This feeling can be quite stressful and overwhelming. One major reason could be social distancing, although necessary, it can make us feel isolated, lonely and may increase stress. To add to it, the COVID anxiety, wherein we’re in constant fear of contracting the virus. These factors can take a huge toll on our mental health.
This stress can affect our health in different ways:
- Disturbed sleep
- Eating a lot or eating very less
- Excess use of tobacco or pan masala
- Drinking alcohol more than usual to avoid stress and boredom
- Feeling loneliness and helpless
Tips To Cope With COVID Anxiety
While there might not be a lot you can do to control the situation, here are a few things you can do to preserve your mental health and cope with COVID anxiety.
- Try to control the things which are in your hand, rather than focusing on the things which you can’t control – Do not think about the shortage of oxygen cylinders or medication. Think how you can make yourself more healthy so you don’t need an oxygen cylinder and medication to recover. Eat healthy, exercise regularly and work on improving your sleep.
- Structure your day and make time for yourself. It’s important to make time for activities you enjoy. Do what you like most like painting, cooking, playing games or an instrument, and so on.
- Make a list of your worries, write it down on a paper and try to write down possible solutions for each worry. It can facilitate problem solving and reduce anxiety.
- Limit checking updates on COVID-19 in news and social media as the more your mind focuses on worst case scenarios, the more anxious you will feel.
- Try to connect through a video call with your friends and family members who you have not visited for a long time. It will work as a tonic for your mental health.
- Practice Mindfulness, which in essence, translates to living in the present moment with acceptance and without judgment
- Try breathing in lavender or scented candles. The smell of lavender, sandalwood, orange, jasmine and rose have calming properties and it stimulates the part of the brain which controls our mood.
If COVID anxiety is getting the better of you, seek out professional help. You don’t have to do this alone. If you are experiencing an escalation of anxiety, ask knowledgeable people who can assist you through this difficult time. Most importantly, don’t lose hope. Things always get better with time!
We hope this article helps you. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more on managing COVID-19, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. To get these tips and support directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu
Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce
As COVID is raging all around us, I see a surge in stress levels on HRA scores, indicating that people are not managing stress effectively. I also receive messages like “This is too hard for me to cope with”, “What will happen in the future?” showing higher than usual levels of general anxiety and stress amongst us all. During a crisis like this, it is common for everyone to experience increased levels of anxiety and distress particularly due to social isolation, fear of the unknown and concern regarding the health of oneself and a loved one.
Most of us tend to feel low when things don’t work in our favor. At times, we give a 100% to a task expecting something good in return. When these expectations aren’t met, we succumb to negative thoughts and depression.
I was quite shocked to find that every 1 out of 5 of my clients was suffering from stress. After digging a little deeper, I found that the root of their problems, the most common factor causing stress was Expectation!
