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Feeling overwhelmed by the recent news of this unsettling illness sweeping throughout the world? You’re not alone. 24-hour news coverage, anecdotes on social media, and picked-over grocery stores have people on edge. This is an unnerving time for even the most skeptical of folks. But it doesn’t have to consume you.
This too shall pass
Whether you’re in a heavily impacted area or an area that hasn’t yet been touched by the virus, it’s important to try to regulate your feelings, keep it in perspective, and remember this situation is temporary. The United States has managed through pandemics before (as recently as the influenza pandemic in 2009) and the nation will weather this one, as well.
Yale Medicine infectious disease specialist Joseph Vinetz, MD was recently quoted saying, “While our daily lives are going to be interrupted for weeks or months, this isn’t our first pandemic. We have dealt with worse. Just because this has been labeled a pandemic does not mean anything about lethality. Many people may be infected, but the vast majority of people will be fine.”
What your destressing plan should include
So while it’s natural to be anxious, it’s also important to develop a coping strategy that works best for you. Everyone’s methods may be different and depend on lifestyle and work demands, however there are commonalities you should strive for within your personal stress-battling regime.
- Wash your hands, don’t touch your face > This one may seem like a no-brainer, but if you’re practicing these two very key things, you will feel more in control of yourself and your health.
- Keep a routine > A lot of folks are now working from home or may not be in school or work for an extended timeframe. Make sure you are maintaining a routine, even if it’s a new or temporary one.
- Set a limit on your screen time > In the age of countless devices floating around our houses, it’s easy to default to screens for the majority of your day. This can lead to inactivity and increased stress depending on what you’re consuming. Decide on an adequate number of hours (appropriate to your business or lifestyle) and don’t surpass that time.
- Get exercise and sleep > Aerobics, weightlifting, dance tutorials, or yoga can be great ways to squeeze in 30 minutes to an hour of activity. And if you’re able to leave the house, walk your dog, go for a run, or bike around the neighborhood. Cap it off with a good 7-8 hours of sleep a night to keep your immune system strong.
- Don’t isolate yourself; stay in touch virtually> If you’re inclined to a more secluded lifestyle, social distancing may cut down on your interaction with the world entirely. Make sure you’re keeping in touch with friends and loved ones regularly.
- Eat well > When hunkering down at home for the foreseeable future, it’s easy to turn to indulgences like junk food and alcohol, but that will leave you sluggish, unproductive and create a domino effect in other areas including poor sleep, lack of motivation, and moodiness. Stick to a healthy diet. You’ll be so glad you did.
Bottom line: it’s okay to feel anxious. And, that anxiety doesn’t have to take over.
Log in to your next therapy session
Also, if you just want to talk this out with someone, we offer video and phone sessions for clients who either don’t want to battle Austin traffic or who are practicing social distancing. Your health is our top priority and we want to make sure you still have access to the therapy you need.
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