We are fighting what is perhaps the biggest crises of all times. This is a threat that none of us was prepared to deal with. When the world was celebrating the arrival of a new year with new hope and excitement, the coronavirus crisis hit us out of nowhere and jerked us out from our bubble of happiness and security. Our worlds toppled in seconds, and everything that we knew about ‘normal’ lives changed. Over the last few months, we have lost some of our loved ones. We have lost jobs, found ourselves alienated from friends and families and sometimes, in entirely new cities. We have not stepped out in many, many months, and most of us have no idea how to deal with the pandemic that was and continues to be at large.
The pandemic swept countries with its second and third waves and brought some of the biggest economies to their knees. In a nutshell, the coronavirus pandemic is not just a health crisis but also a grave humanitarian crisis. Therefore, it is natural if most people found their mental health in shambles. It is natural if more and more people gyrated towards a bottomless pit of darkness, and it is natural if people who were well on their way to recovery also found themselves relapsing.
COVID-19 Anxiety is Real:
Organizations that managed to stay afloat have gone and continue to go out of their ways to make their employees feel comfortable and help them deal with this new “work-from-home” life. They are doing all that they can to ensure that their employees feel safe, have job security and also get to take care of their mental health. However, with death and gloom everywhere, things might take a very long time to get back to the old normal. Even when the lockdowns lifted and people were free to move around and meet other people following all the protocols, the COVID-19 anxiety did not let go of its hold. Most of us were scared to step out and for good enough reasons, and our anxieties started going off the charts. However, life goes on, and all that we can do is make our peace with the entire process. As we continue to battle this seemingly invincible virus, one thing that we must remember is that we are all in this together, and therefore, we must try to manage our anxieties together too. That said, let us look at a few little ways in which we can all deal with our COVID-19 anxiety and get through this tough phase.
Distance Yourself from Media:
It is understandable if you want to stay updated about what the world is going through and find yourself frantically looking for a dip in the number of cases around the world. However, the news on mainstream media and social media is incredibly depressing. There is no end to people’s misery, and the death rates can only make you more anxious. Therefore, the best thing to do would be to at least manage your engagement with media. Catch up on the news no more than once every day and restrict your social media usage. You must remember that checking what is happening around you will not reduce the cases or the death rate, but only make you more anxious. Therefore, restrict your consumption of mainstream and social media.
Play Some Games or Indulge in Relaxing Activities:
The second way to manage your COVID-19 anxiety is to indulge in activities that can help you relax. For instance, take up gardening, or learn a new skill. You could try Delta 9o Vape, a relaxing cannabinoid vape that can help anxiety. You might also want to try out different recipes. As long as what you are doing is helping you calm your nerves, you are good to go. The pandemic has also led to the soaring popularity and growth of online games like slot online terpercaya, poker and even FPS games. You might also want to try them out to bust your stress and keep anxiety at bay. Different people have different coping mechanisms. Only because gardening helps calm your nerves does not mean that it shall help your friend too. Find what helps you deal with the anxiety and engage generously with the activity.
Learn to Say No to Work:
Every employer has certain work expectations from the employees, and as an employee, you might be bound to dispense off your duties. However, this is a new situation, and nothing about this is normal. Therefore, if your employer is delegating work that you are not able to do, talk to them and learn how to say “no.” Working from home does not mean that you have to work all day long. Set boundaries and tell your employer to be more understanding.
Talk to a Mental Health Professional:
These are trying times, and mental health professionals are now more reachable through video conferences and phone calls. If you are unable to manage your COVID-19 and find it interfering with your life and routine, talk to a mental health expert without any delay. Mental health problems are not supposed to be brushed under the rug. You are supposed to reach out and ask for help. Talk to friends and family, and if nothing helps, do not delay the process of reaching out to a professional. Only a professional can help with a clinical diagnosis and help you manage your symptoms.
Summing Up:
When we first began making plans for the new year in 2019, none of us knew that our worlds are about to change permanently. None of us knew that donning a mask, meeting friends virtually and carrying hand sanitizers wherever we go would be our new reality. But here we are now, and things that we had once taken for granted seem like a privilege to us at the moment. This is a tough situation, and therefore, suffering from COVID-19 anxiety is nothing odd. It is what is expected. Therefore, try out these tips to manage the anxiety and take a step in the right direction.