The Coronavirus and Your Mental Health
Whether you deal with anxiety on a regular basis or not, you may be feeling stress from the emotional climate surrounding the coronavirus. During uncertain times, it’s just as crucial to focus on your mental and emotional health as it is to protect yourself and your loved ones from physical illness. Here are two questions you can ask yourself to refocus your thinking patterns about the coronavirus from anxious and fearful to thoughtful and calm.
What information do I need?
While there’s a lot we don’t know about the coronavirus, it’s important to pay attention to facts, and seek only the information you need from reliable sources, such as:
Who should I be most concerned about? (Older adults, those with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems)
What symptoms should I look for? (Cough, fever, difficulty breathing)
What can I do to protect myself and others? (Practice good hygiene and healthy habits, stock up on necessities only as needed to ensure that everyone is provided for, avoid travel and crowds when practical, and limit visits with vulnerable populations)
When is the best time to catch up on the news?
While it’s good to stay informed, watching or reading the news can cause your anxiety to spike. You may find that it’s best to catch up on the news at the beginning of your day, when you have the distractions of everyday life to take your mind off it immediately afterwards. Or you may feel better learning the latest at the end of the day, when you’re at home and have time to process and relax. Try to only consult reliable, fact-based sources once a day, at the time you’ve chosen, and only as long as it takes for you to obtain the most up-to-date and relevant information.
Although these are uncertain times, there are steps you can take to feel calm and balanced. If you feel that stress and anxiety are taking a toll on your mental health, please don’t hesitate to seek support. Our licensed health professionals are providing telehealth services so that you can receive support from the comfort and safety of your home. We’re here to help you stay centered and well, no matter the circumstances.
