Fear surrounding the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak affects everyone and can create a great deal of anxiety. Everyone handles stress differently. When you feel stressed, especially for prolonged periods of time, your body’s immune system’s ability to fight off infection can be reduced. Increases in Cortisol, the stress hormone, can also have negative effects on your mood, digestive system, heart rate, and the quality of your sleep. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic it is critical to manage your stress level. While quarantined, you can learn new ways to adapt and stay healthy. The following can help you reduce stress.
1. Practice Self-Care
There are many things you can do to practice self-care. These include taking walks (following social distancing of course), exercising while watching online workout programs, getting enough sleep, and connecting with loved ones virtually. Technology enables us to maintain connections with others while each of us sits in isolation. Keeping in touch is still important because it may help you feel less lonely.
2. Telehealth
If in spite of all your efforts you still have difficulty managing your anxiety level, you may want to seek help by talking to a therapist or possibly taking medications.
Telehealth makes it possible to have virtual appointments with a Therapist or a Psychiatrist without leaving your home.
Talking with someone who will engage you and address your anxieties during this outbreak and beyond can help deal with the unknown. You can learn tools to control your fear or worry and can avoid stress-induced changes that may negatively impact your life. Together we can flatten the stress curve.
