Last updated on November 23rd, 2021
Since the novel coronavirus outbroke in December 2019 in Wuhan — the capital of Central China’s Hubei province, media (both electronic as well as print), has been full of updates about the disease. It’s almost impossible to avoid, but what if you have any mental ailment that could be aggravated by the news surfacing everywhere, every moment? Here are a few simple steps suggested by experts that you can follow to take care of your wellbeing.
The outbreak of COVID-19, also called SARS-CoV-2, has adversely impacted people across the world in varying ways. This highly contagious pandemic has forced people to stay home, leading to social isolation.
This has caused an increased level of anxiety and distress among the people, especially doctors and other healthcare professionals. They are at the highest risk as they strive hard to balance the duty of treating corona positive patients with aggravated concerns about their own wellbeing and that of the family.
If you, too, have developed a hard knot of anxiety in the pit of your stomach—probably it pops up when you’re watching the news or scrolling social media on your smartphone, don’t worry! It’s a healthy reaction.
“I’d say it’s essential to understand that if you’re anxious at this level of crisis—you’re normal,” says Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Weill-Cornell School of Medicine.
“It’s because plenty of anxiety-creating stuff is going on right now. It is normal, healthy, and evolutionary to have anxiety in reactions to things, with an adequate level of concerns,” she clarifies.
But if your anxiety has turned into fear, a sense of helplessness, or panic in your daily life or for someone/something you love, it’s a matter of concern. You have to get rid of it as soon as possible. Medical experts— from psychologists to academicians—have suggested a few smart ways to calm you, while staying well-informed.
7 Smart Ways To Manage Mental Health During The COVID-19 Outbreak
01. Subscribe To Reliable Sources Only
A wave of rumor and misinformation on coronavirus floods social media, triggering panic attacks. If you don’t want to fall prey to the situation, be well-informed about the novel coronavirus — know the ‘Dos’ and ‘DON’Ts’ from reliable sources.
Getting the latest news about the pandemic may be tempting, but getting authentic information is essential.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and several local governments have set up platforms for the latest stats and guidance. You’re advised to subscribe to those channels and stay abreast of the developments. These sites are:
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- https://www.coronavirus.gov
- https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
02. Turn Off News Notification On Your Phone
Turning off news notification on your smartphone is one way that will keep you away from overwhelming news about coronavirus. You don’t need to see all those news to stay informed. Instead, set aside a specific time for visiting those authentic sites we’ve discussed earlier.
03. Mute Groups / People Sharing Misleading Information
There is a “mute” option in almost every leading social networking site, mute the people or groups that share misinformation or news that make you uncomfortable. Muting any person doesn’t mean that you will never see their messages again. It simply means that you won’t get notification from them but can see their messages whenever you would like to.
04. Eat Healthy, Sleep Tight
Good food will help you stay healthy, especially boosting immunity. And if you love cooking, spend some time in the kitchen giving some new dishes a try. There are plenty of cooking sites you can take tips from. It not only will keep you engaged but also help you distract from anxiety and negative thoughts.
You can share your new experience with friends, colleagues, and family members residing in other cities. This will take your mind off your worries.
Taking proper sleep is equally essential for leading a healthy life. Wind up your daily work a little early and go to bed on time. Also, don’t forget to do adequate exercise.
05. Distract Yourself With The Things You Love
Get involved in doing things you love to. This way, you can live your passion while distracting yourself from unwanted news surfacing everywhere. If you’re a bookworm, pick your favorite books from your book-shelves or borrow from your friends.
Reading books can be a good stress buster. Take an hour or two and enjoy crossing off some of the books from your favorite reads. You might even want to upskill yourself. This is an excellent opportunity to learn new things, stimulate your brain, and tune out those negative thoughts. So look for online courses that could add feathers to your wings.
06. Get In Touch With Someone You Trust
If you’re worried about coronavirus, then it’s good to talk to someone you trust. Remember, chatting with someone who is already worried might even aggravate your level of anxiety. So it’s advisable to get a viewpoint of someone who’s composed, have good knowledge about the pandemic, and can take your negative thoughts away.
07. Talk To Your Doctor
Still feeling distressed? Unable to cope with the tense situation? If you find yourself helpless to come out from this extended period of stress and anxiety, then it’s the time to speak to your doctor and finally to a psychiatrist, if your doctor suggests.
Looking For Protective Measures Against The Coronavirus?
The Coronavirus has turned out to be the deadliest pandemic of the millennium affecting people to businesses all around the world. To save yourself, all you need is to stay indoors and keep yourself updated on the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more about Symptoms, Prevention and common FAQs on Coronavirus shared by the experts.
Get Common FAQs On Coronavirus
Conclusion
The outbreak of coronavirus disease has created an unprecedented situation across the world, affecting hundreds of thousands of people in varying ways. Living at the time when people are anxious and afraid about the possible impact of the pandemic, maintaining good mental health is intimidating yet inevitable. I hope the tips mentioned here would help you to keep your anxiety at bay.
Stay calm, Stay healthy!