As the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, multiplies on a global scale, people have become more anxious and started to panic. As worry and panic is on the rise, a majority of individuals have started stocking up on essential grocery items and even toilet papers. Even though we are constantly being told how to protect ourselves from catching this virus, it is observed the people can’t help but panic about the ongoing situation.
In times like this, different organizations are letting their employees work from home and most of the schools will remain closed until further notice. From eerily empty store shelves to hand sanitizers and toilet papers being sold out, we are observing a full-blown case of coronavirus anxiety. Fearing quarantines and shortages, one of the hoarder families in Australia mistakenly ordered 48 boxes of toilet paper instead of 48 rolls from their online delivery service which is estimated to last for 12-year. This shows that fear is the evolutionary response to a threat that impacts every aspect of your life
There are several reasons for this kind of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s quite normal and natural to feel anxiety when a global infectious virus outbreaks. Fear is something that helps us stay safe. It is understandable that fear and panic are unavoidable but there are different steps you can take to get rid of anxiety.
Plan Ahead to Take Better Control of the Situations
If you are someone who is more prone to anxiety then you should take better control of the situation by planning ahead. Taking some basic steps to be ready for the possibility of an outbreak in your vicinity will certainly give you a sense of relief, that too in no time. For example, you can consider asking your employer to let the entire team work-from-home so that if any employee gets infected, others’ life won’t be at stake.
Also, make sure that you are already prepared for disruptions like a ban on malls, educational institutes, public gatherings. It is crucial to have emergency plans for these disruptions in this critical time. In addition to it, find the most trusted and authentic sources of information you can turn to in case of an outbreak.
Unplug for a Bit to Live in the Moment
There is no denying the fact that keeping yourself updated with what’s happening around the world is essential. But, there is absolutely no need to be obsessed with the news. Gathering a lot of information from different resources is not problematic in any way. But, what you need to know is that it could make you panic and worry more.
If you want to stay and take the simple steps to protect yourself from being infected, that’s great. But, it is not a good idea to spend all day and night reading news alerts, headlines, or tweets. If you do this, then here is a reality check for you: “Doing this does not change your risk of catching the virus.”
It is crucial to unplug from the panic-creating news for a bit and try some mindfulness app using cox bundlesin order to get rid of anticipatory anxiety instantly.
Know that You Are Not Alone
There are the two most common things that people are facing during this corona pandemic: Fear and uncertainty. Yes, you read it right- people are panicking more instead of taking precautionary measures. It is certainly not a good idea to allow fear to take over your life.
Certainly, as the number of people being infected by the virus increase, the information about COVID-19 also changes. It would not be wrong to say that this corona pandemic seems to be having a wide-ranging impact on nearly every single person around the globe. Therefore, it is inevitable to experience distressing emotions, have trouble sleeping, feel unsafe, or social isolation and cope with your work-life issues in an effective way. The most important thing that you need to remember during this pandemic is that ‘you are not alone’. We all are in this together, so there is no need to make a big deal out of it.
Exercise and Eat Well
During this time of anxiousness and uncertainty, a piece of goodadvice is worth emphasizing. As you are already aware of the fact that patients with a great immunity system are capable of fighting with the virus in a better way. So, it would be ideal for you to work on improving your immunity system. There’s lots of evidence that shows that exercising on a regular basis can not only help promote feelings of well-being but also boost your immunity in no time.
The things you choose to eat can also help improve your immunity. According to a recent study, including fruits, whole grains, and vegetables, and lean protein can play a vital role in decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety among young adults.
Take the Right Preventive Actions
When an infectious disease outbreaks, there are a lot of things that you can do to protect yourself. It is certainly beyond impossible to sterilize your entire environment. But, taking a few precautionary measures will help reduce your risk and your anxiety, that too instantly. The coronavirus is highly contagious and can be easily transmitted from one person to another through respiratory droplets. When you stand close to an infected person who is sneezing or coughing, you can also get infected as they release droplets containing virus particles. This is the reason why it is advised to keep your distance.
On top of that, droplets can land on surfaces, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, windows, etc. So, if you accidentally touch a contaminated surface, then touch your face, the virus can enter your body and you end up getting infected. So, make sure you avoid touching your face and keep sanitizing your hands.
