With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) now a global pandemic, anxiety and stress levels are becoming much higher than normal for our general population. However, those who have already been diagnosed with a known mental health condition, you may find that today’s current events surrounding COVID-19 pandemic may have started to exacerbate the symptoms of your condition. The reason for this increased sense of anxiety and stress is mainly due to so much uncertainty that is being publicized through the news, statistics, and constant updates of emergency guidelines, which is very emotionally draining for everyone. So, how do we combat this daily bombardment of stressors and stay calm during this storm?

1. Practice Self-Care: With so much beyond our control right now, focus on what you can control. This entails getting more sleep, meditate (https://www.headspace.com/covid-19 free meditation videos), exercise, fueling your body with whole foods and making better decisions regarding your eating habits that will boost your immune system, “take me away” Calgon bath- whatever you do, now is the time to make you and your wellness a priority.

2. Limit use of Social Media: Set limits on how often you are using social media, especially if you are at home where it is tempting to check in more often. Don’t let a constant stream of tweets, status updates, and conflicting opinions overwhelm you.

3. Read only reliable news sources: Stay informed by reading only reliable resources, such as government websites, World Health Organization (WHO), and the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Other news sources may be less accurate, and may cause unnecessary feelings of panic and concern.

4. Talk it out: Acknowledge any stress and anxiety that you are feeling…don’t feel ashamed. Take this opportunity to connect with other family and friends to ask how they are coping, and don’t forget to ask how your children are feeling and limit their use of media coverage to help decrease their feelings of being overwhelmed.

5. Reach out and ask for help: We are all in this together, and we must stay connected to those around us. Everyone reacts to stressful situations differently, and it is natural to feel overwhelmed during present times. If you or someone you know is in needs of help reach out and contact a licensed professional.