You are Probably Stressed and That’s Understandable
If you’re like most people, you are doing your best to stay calm during COVID-19 pandemic. But that can feel incredibly difficult at times. When not worrying about friends and loved one’s health, there’s also the conflicting information provided by the media and the economic ramifications of the virus that have people on edge.
Some Signs of Stress:
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations, but most will exhibit some of the following signs:
- Changes in eating habits or sleep schedule
- Difficulty concentrating and irritability
- Health flare ups, headaches, backaches
- Drinking or using more
If you are experiencing significant stress right now, the following are some ways you can cope.
Three Ways to Cope with Anxiety Now:
1. Limit Your Time Spent with Media & Social Media
I know, I know, you’ve heard this before, but research shows that limiting social media decreases loneliness and depression. Researchers found that more time spent using social media was associated with greater symptoms of anxiety and even was linked to greater odds of having an anxiety disorder. If you hope to reduce your anxiety, social media use should be considered. Do your own experiment and take a few days break and see what is different. It’s important to find reliable sources of information and limit the amount you absorb on a daily basis.
2. Focus on Self-care
You can’t control the world around you, but you can make decisions to care for yourself so that you are in the best place you can be to manage stress. Be sure to get outside for some fresh air and go for a walk. Eat right and make sure to stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep. Avoid consuming too much alcohol and try and find ways to reconnect with your family. Even though it’s hard right now, care for yourself by finding pockets of fun.
3. Find the Silver Linings.
For many of us, there are silver linings in this situation. One example is extra time. What can you do with the extra time that isn’t being used to drive an hour or more each day in commuting? Focus on using this time wisely. Maybe you have an ever-growing list of home projects that you just never have time to tackle. Tackle them now, you’ll feel great about it later.
Reach out For Help:
There are lots of things you can do for yourself. One of them is to reach out. If you find yourself becoming stressed or depressed and want a helping hand, I encourage you to connect with me.