If the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 has you feeling anxious, you are not alone. Fears about COVID-19 can take an emotional toll, especially if you are already living with an anxiety disorder. During this time the DHR Health Behavioral Hospital encourages you to take care of your mental health and cope with stress by following these tips:
Be proactive by washing your hands and practicing social distancing.
When you start to feel yourself get anxious, focus on the things you can control. Take care of yourself and your community by doing your part by staying home as much as possible, avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people, touching your face, and washing your hands as frequently as possible.
Clear your head with a walk outside.
Knowing when you are feeling stressed is important. Recognizing how you are feeling and taking a moment to remove yourself from the situation to clear your head is important. Relax your body by doing things that work for you like exercising, taking deep breaths, stretching, meditating or working on hobbies.
Connect with friends and family using technology.
Check in with your family and friends often to help decrease your stress. Virtual communication can help you and your family feel less lonely and isolated. Try connecting with your loved ones through social media, telephone or email. Distract yourself by hosting fun family events on zoom or other video chat platforms in order to enjoy conversations unrelated to the outbreak. .
Stay informed, but take breaks from the news and social media if they are causing feelings of anxiousness.
Understanding the risks can make this pandemic less stressful, but hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. Take time to unwind or fill your time in with some activities you enjoy instead of watching television.
Know the signs of stress and remember that we are in this together! To speak with a mental health expert, please call DHR Health Behavioral Hospital at (956) 362-HELP.
