Here Is How To Overcome The Coronavirus Anxiety

Over the past few months, I have come to understand how anyone with a long term illness/terminal illness feels. Minding what they eat, whom or what they interact with, being cautious about weather changes and how they maintain their hygiene levels.

How does an individual with a terminal illness continue with their daily life while remaining hopeful, happy and energized? They do this through the power of the mind. They opt to be positive and are determined not to let their illness define their life. Through therapy, they re-discover their drive in life and exploit all that life has to offer.

Our perception of the Coronavirus amidst the media reports will determine how we overcome it. Caution is very important but anxiety over the pandemic can put your mental health in jeopardy. Learn how to control anxiety for emotional stability. Rediscover the power of your mind.

Here are tips to help manage the anxiety:

Employ mental distancing: a psychological intervention method. This is where you force your mind to plan for the future – one week, one month, 3 months, 6 months, a year, 2 years, etc.

Be very selective with the information you consume and avoid conspiracy theories. Select medical sites and published research as sources of coronavirus information. Avoid misinformation which will hype you up and cause panic. Understand what the virus is, how it spreads, how it harms your body, treatments available and how to prevent infection. This will help alleviate anxiety.

Review your planned activities beforehand. In as much as social isolation is encouraged, it can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Utilize technology (video and phone calls) to ensure you keep in touch with your loved ones all through.

If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety-related disorder, please resume therapy with a mental health professional.

READ: Not Everyone Who Smiles Around You Is Your Friend And Means Well

This article has been written by Nancy Kabiru, a mental wellness champion and the Lead Psychologist & Founder of Hisia Psychology Consultants