Managing Coronavirus Anxiety

During these unprecedented times with many people working from home and self isolating it is important we continue to stay fit and healthy by managing the Coronavirus anxiety risks in our home environment.

Access to media/social media

Think about how much time you spend finding out about Coronavirus, you may want to restrict it. Make sure information is balanced and reliable, not sensationalist and scaremongering.

Try not to seek constant reassurance

Seeking reassurance can make you feel calmer for a little while, but in my experience, it is always temporary. Your brain creates a feedback cycle where you become increasingly reliant on reassurance, which only serves to reinforce the anxiety. It’s natural to want your loved ones to tell you things will be OK, but when you start needing that reassurance several times a day it’s time to take a step back.

Don’t ignore your anxiety

It’s very normal to feel scared about something unknown and unpredictable. Acknowledge that you, and others, feel this way. 

Bring it back to the present

Anxiety pushes us 10 steps ahead. So stop and think what the situation is right now, not how it could be. Reassure yourself, calm yourself. Are you catastrophizing? Focusing on “what ifs”? Bring it back to what you know.

Look after yourself

Eat well, sleep well, go for a walk or do some exercise. You will feel more robust. Enjoy the things you love to do – reading, Netflix, talking to friends and family. Be mindful of your own mood and allow yourself to “turn off” to do pleasurable activities to get away from the Coronavirus anxiety.

We’re all in this together

Everybody: Scientists,politicians, EVERYONE knows and loves an elderly, a vunerable person, someone at risk. We are all hugely invested so nobody in power will make decisions without consideration for those they love.

It’s not us and them, it’s all of us together