Coping with Pandemic Anxiety: Tips and Advice to Hold On To
COVID-19 has shaken up life as we know it and it’s unsurprising that so many of us are having a hard time coping.
There’s a lot of grief, fear, and anxiety surrounding this pandemic, resulting from real and imagined scenarios, preceptions, and threats. From being isolated from friends and family to fearing for their safety and your own, and feeling hopeless as the state of the world, it’s only natural to feel incredibly overwhelmed and exhausted.
If you’re struggling with anxiety or stress as a result of the ongoing circumstances, you’re far from alone. 40 million Americans struggle with anxiety, and numbers are probably on the rise since the outbreak of the pandemic.
But focusing on your mental health is more important than ever. Here are some tips and advice to get you through these difficult times:
Acknowledge that you’re doing okay
This in no way means you need to downplay or dismiss your worries. It just means you need to pause, reflect, and acknowledge that you’re safe, and doing everything you can to stay safe. Your friends and family members who are alive, well, and healthy are also okay. And if you’ve experienced losses and are dealing with grief, you’re not overreacting. It’s crucial that we learn to pause, reflect, and forgive ourselves.
Tune down your news consumption
Staying informed is an important part of staying safe, and you should know of important and relevant developments. But with that being said, it’s equally important that you give yourself a break and curb your overconsumption of news.
When you’re struggling with too much information, negativity, and constant overload, you’re bound to feel more anxious and afraid. Stick to credible sources and space out how often you seek updates, avoiding excessive use of social media and news outlets.
Focus on the things within your control
While there may be dozens of things that you have no control over, there are several more that you do. It’s important to exercise caution and uphold your boundaries, whether you’re choosing to prioritize your safety over others’ feelings by not socializing, wearing a mask in public regardless of what people think, washing your hands regularly, or strictly self-isolating and avoiding large crowds.
You’re not paranoid, you’re doing what’s important and right and don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed for it. If anyone makes you feel that way, they’re not deserving of your time and energy.
Find safe, healthy outlets for your stress
If you feel overwhelmed, seek out someone reliable for help. We offer quality mental health therapy clinics Winder and counseling services, and you can contact us to know more. We will help you manage your anxiety and find healthy outlets and channels, whether that’s meditation, talk therapy, or other forms of stress and anxiety counseling Winder.
Book a consultation for a mental health evaluation with our clinic today.
