March of 2020 marked the beginning of a temporary lockdown that was supposed to last for a couple of weeks, one month at the most.
Sadly for us, things didn’t turn out that way, and we couldn’t get rid of the virus as quickly as we hoped. Travel restrictions, lockdowns, quarantines, and face masks became the norm. What we saw as a given became a privilege, and many people still feel like things will never go back to normal.
To that end, we’ve put together this post to share some actionable advice you can use to treat your Covid-19 anxiety and hopefully lead a happier and more peaceful life.
Let’s dive in.
Do You Suffer From Covid-19 Anxiety?
Before diving into the actionable tips, it’s important to note that not all anxiety is created equal. It’s perfectly normal to feel some unease about a virus that’s infected hundreds of millions of people. But if it gets to the point of obsession, you should take action to resolve your anxiety.
Extreme Covid-19 anxiety is characterized with:
- Fear of public spaces and social contacts
- Obsessive cleaning of your home
- Compulsive checking for Covid-19 symptoms
- Feelings of bitterness and hopelessness about the pandemic
If any of these apply, read on.
How to Move Past Anxiety And Back to Normal
The first step to treating your anxiety is to focus on what you can control. Instead of feeling hopeless about the situation, do your best to protect yourself without going overboard:
- Wash your hands
- Keep your distance
- Wear a mask
- Avoid touching your face when you’re out
- Use a hand sanitizer on the go
Aside from that, take good care of your body to strengthen your body’s defense against the virus. Actionable tactics include:
- Sleeping for at least seven hours per night
- Exercising three to five days per week (and doing some aerobic training)
- Spending time in nature and away from the city
- Taking supplements like vitamin C and D3
- Eating a nutritious diet based on fruits and vegetables
The third beneficial step you can take to treat your anxiety is to share your worries with someone you trust. Often, discussing problems can be enough for you to see them in a new light and take the first steps to resolve them. Plus, sharing your worries with others can allow them to support and reassure you.
Our final recommendation is to become more mindful of the information you choose to consume. It’s no secret that everyone talks about Covid-19 these days, but many people fail to realize that not all of the information is accurate. Often, we are presented with some percentage of the truth, mixed with opinions and hypotheses to make news articles more interesting. Social media is also bad because we are bombarded with piles of pessimistic information that can significantly impact our mental health.
Conclusion
We don’t know when we’ll be able to put the coronavirus behind us. The virus will likely remain with us for a long time, at least in some form, so it’s essential to stay objective, take good care of ourselves, and be more selective with the information we consume.