With all the uncertainty, sudden social distancing andisolation at home 24 X 7, comes a great deal of anxiety. Let's face it, these arestrange times and all of us are in it together - at least that¡¯s the reassurance we keep getting from loved ones and friends. But access to informationand the gnawing fear of 'what¡¯s going to happen next' can be extremely taxingfor a lot of us.
Everyone suffers from a different level - or maybe even kind - of anxiety, which makes it hard to classify. Some of us may experience thatsinking feeling while procrastinating too much for a complicated work deadline,others might anxious about not having enough human contact.?In the past few days, the outbreak of coronaviruspandemic has changed the dynamics in ways never thought of before. On a normal day,you would have had the chance to put your mind at ease by going out for a drinkwith friends or just taking a run outside in the park. But self-isolating and social distancing have limited all of those myriad coping mechanisms.
Apart from the fact that schools are closed and most people are working from home orstaying inside, there are those who are living away from their families and have not been able to get home due to the curfew. This can be emotionally challenging especially at a time like this when we're surrounded by so much uncertainty. So, in order to keep sane, and mentally and physically fit, here are a few things you can do:
We are experiencing an incomprehensible fear of what the future has in store for us, given that 'normal' life is nothing like it used to be, at least for the time being. While your mind is going berserk with allkinds of crazy thoughts, misinformation from WhatsApp, Twitter Instagram andFacebook will only add fuel to the fire. Ever since the pandemic, there has been amind-boggling array of rumours. Not only are they harmful and might get in the way of actually preventing the spread of COVID-19, it might make someone suffering from anxiety, even more anxious. So, it¡¯s more important thanever to distance yourself from it. Only focus on essential information andstay away from the rest.
The first step to dealing with any kind of anxiety is toacknowledge what it is when it happens. Yes, there is a lot ofpanic and it's most likely going to be about the negative outcome of thepandemic. One may have concerns about their business dying out, job loss or lackof social contact. Recognize the fears and calm your mind by talkingto someone over the phone or family member you can confide in, to weigh the prosand cons. Even though this is a difficult time, we are all in it together and this too shall pass.
We are facing a global health crisis and it¡¯s a strugglethat we will remember for years to come. To be anxious and worried about apossibly horrid scenario is human, and it¡¯s worse if you have had a history ofanxiety. Remember to cut yourself some slack and keep reminding yourself thatyou are not alone in any capacity. Always recognize the source of the trigger anddistance yourself from anything that causes your mind to go haywire - beit the onslaught of opinions on Twitter or messages on family group chat. At the end of the day, it¡¯s your mental well-being that matters.
Try breathing in for four counts and breathing out for four counts, for five minutes total. This will help slow down your heart rate, which should help calm you down.
Now more than ever is the time to find activities to keepyourself calm and centred. And an at-home yoga practice can help you do just that.It's true ¡ª doing yoga and breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety (and depression) and boost positive feelings.
Journaling is a highly recommended stress management toolfor many reasons. Write about your concerns, writing for several minutes untilyou feel you have written what needs to be said. Detail what is happening rightnow, describing the events that are currently causing you stress. Come up withat least one thing you can do right now that would improve your life andprepare you for what you fear.
Whether they¡¯re in oil form, incense, or a candle, scentslike lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood can be very soothing. Aromatherapy isthought to help activate certain receptors in your brain, potentially easinganxiety.
You might think that caffeine, drinking alcohol, or smokingcan help reduce your stress, but they might actually be triggering your conditions and making you all the more anxious. Make a consciouseffort to limit exposure to these substances till the time you're locked at home.
Screen time at night keeps adults from falling asleep andsleeping well due to cognitive stimulation and sleep deprivation. There isplenty of evidence to show that screen time is a ¡°major factor¡± in mental andphysical health. One 2018study found that ¡°compulsive media use¡± triggered social media fatigue,ultimately leading to elevated anxiety and depression.
We¡¯re in a time of massive upheaval. There are so many things outside of our control, including how long the pandemic lasts, how other people behave, But we all must remember that we are in it together, none of us alone and whatever the crisis is, it will pass soon, as so many things do. That's just way things work.??f you feel yourself start to spin out into negativity or panic, ground yourself in the present and keep reminding yourself that you are not alone.