As a result of the coronavirus pandemic we’ve seen our lives change more than we ever thought possible. We’ve all had to miss out on plans, been separated from our friends and family, and spent more time at home than ever before. There have been some blessings that have come with the new way of living, but ultimately everybody would agree that it’s been a challenging time. Naturally, as a result, many people have been dealing with anxiety. It is totally normal to feel anxious around coronavirus since we have lost so much control over our lives and, if we're honest with ourselves, we really have no idea what will come next. However, there are ways that can help help you deal with this, and we would like to share them with you.
1. Self-Care: Love Yourself!
Firstly, practice self-care. Be kind and gentle with yourself; this is a difficult time for everyone, and you shouldn’t blame or judge yourself for being anxious. Speak to yourself as though you were speaking to a friend who was suffering - the way we speak to ourselves has a big impact on our lives. Take some time to do things for yourself, whether it’s taking a long, hot bubble bath, watching your favorite TV show, or cooking up a tasty meal. Keep eating healthy and sleeping well, and things will seem lighter.
2. Stay Grounded: ‘As Normal As Possible’
Second, try and find some normalcy within the craziness. Enjoy your weekly grocery shopping and, once in a while, get out of those pajamas to get dressed even if it's just in your living room. Sometimes making a bit of effort can make all the difference. Remember to stay social, schedule zoom meetings with friends, and call up your family. Everyone is feeling as isolated as you are, so keeping in contact with loved ones can make a big positive change.
3. Exercise: Don’t Stop Moving!
Exercising releases endorphins into the body which helps you feel great, and it is also a great antidote to sitting at home all day. Find a fitness plan that works for you, whether it’s going on a walk or a run, a home video workout, or playing with a jump rope! As long as you get your body moving, you’ll feel better.
4. Mindfulness: The Power of Yoga and Meditation
Another great idea can be to try yoga or meditation. Both of these activities incorporate mindfulness into our lives, and both have been proven to lower stress and anxiety symptoms. Spending a few hours each day developing a yoga or meditation practice can be incredibly rewarding and have a huge effect on the body. There are plenty of online resources to help you get started in this area.
5. Changing the Scenery: Step Outside!
Make sure you leave your house once in a while. It’s easy to develop a sort of Stockholm syndrome during this time, especially since we’ve had so much time to get comfortable in our own familiar surroundings. However, having a change of scenery is important too. Go on a walk, go to the park, or just sit in the garden. This also makes coming back home all the better!
6. Limiting Screen Time: Back to Basics
Another way to help prevent coronavirus anxiety is to limit screen time. We know the strength of the addictive urge to get sucked into the virtual world, but it’s vital to stay connected to what’s actually going on around us. Take some time to get back to basics, whether it’s baking, reading, or looking after plants. This will bring us back to nature while providing comfort and grounding. There’s a reason so many people became keen plant parents in this past year!
7. Look After Yourself: Things You CAN Do
Lastly, take necessary precautions for yourself in order to try and reduce the anxiety as much as you can. Although we can’t control everything, we can control some things. Washing our hands, practicing social distancing, and being as conscientious as possible will leave us feeling secure that we’re doing our own part in helping to beat this pandemic.
8. Stay Positive: You Got This!
This pandemic is a huge challenge to deal with, and having anxiety in response to the situation is more than normal. However, we can also try and focus on the positives. We can appreciate that we now have time for ourselves, maybe to do the things we always wanted to do; finish that book, work on that business, learn that new skill. We have been gifted with the time to slow down and figure out what’s really important.
Remember that you’re not struggling alone. Speak to those around you - we’re all in this together and we will all make it through together.
Remember that you’re not struggling alone. Speak to those around you - we’re all in this together and we will all make it through together.