Calm Your COVID Anxiety
Oh my dear friends, 2020 is looking a lot like the year 2003 except I was too young to understand the words “outbreak” and “pandemic” back then. I know that there is a lot of fear and worry going around. I know it because I’ve seen the pictures and heard the stories of the grocery stores. Fear kicks in and we suddenly stop thinking about rationality – it’s no wonder people are stocking up on toilet paper. They are too afraid to stop and fully think through what they need. I get it. It is scary. But we are making it scarier with our herd mentality. I don’t want to rant about the hoards of shoppers though. I want to address you. And your mind. And your worries. Let’s sit down for a minute. Make a cup of tea. Let’s breathe. Let me help calm you. Because I need to help calm myself too.
If you are already an anxious person, I can imagine that like me you are fighting very hard not to completely lose it. Your anxiety is ready to run away with worried thoughts and get that heartrate going. Don’t let it. You are not there alone with your anxiety. You are here with me. We are going to take your mind off the worry and put it on things that are more helpful.
The first thing you can do it mute the overwhelming features on social media. If you follow certain accounts that feel like they bombard you with information you aren’t ready to take in, mute them for now. Don’t click on the Facebook Article and hell, maybe don’t even go on Facebook. Take a break from news headlines. When you are ready to learn about what’s happening go straight to the source like World Health Organization. Read facts not interpretations. Let those facts guide you. It is important to stay educated and up to date, but you get to decide when to get those updates.
Talk to people who are like-minded or can help calm you. People who you know are good at helping you stop downward spirals by throwing facts at you. It may not be the time to chat with your friend who thrives on drama. Stay low key and be safe but be with people who wont fuel the fire you’re trying to put out. For me I knew I needed my Mom and Dad. I was properly heading towards a panic attack, feeling like I was in a Zombie Apocalypse movie when I expressed my concerns and my parents reminded me to take it one day at a time. They recognized the concern but were calm and unshaken. That helped. Being with people who were steady.
Get your mind on something else. I have been playing a computer game lately that is full of puzzles and it helps to take my full concentration in order to solve the puzzles. Less room for my mind to wander and start worrying again. Do things that feel normal. Watch TV. Play games. Draw. Watch a movie. Make popcorn. Put your mind elsewhere.
Take more time for yourself and be kind to yourself. It’s okay to be worried. It’s okay to be afraid. Allow yourself to accept some of those feeling but don’t let them rule you. I am afraid and that’s normal – no need to beat myself up over it. I’ll take care of myself instead. You know I will be taking baths, and I may need to take a trip to Wine Rack. I need to do yoga and curl up with a blanket and drink tea. I need to do things that make me feel good.
I know it’s a lot, friends. Let’s be smart and let’s be kind. I am here for you if you need to talk. Read this whenever you start to spiral. Remind yourself of what makes you feel grounded. We will get through this together.
Stay open, stay positive.
Here is an image I found with some good advice as well. Source: Sanford Health