Managing Covid-19 anxiety
During this difficult time, many of us will be experiencing an increase in our anxiety levels around Covid-19 (NHS advice here). I would be worried if we were not. Anxiety is a perfectly normal response in this situation, there is a lot of uncertainty and life as we know it has been completely turned on it’s head. Many of us are facing new challenges. We are concerned about our health, our loved ones, our jobs and finances, home schooling, to name just a few and the impact that this will have on our daily lives now and moving forward.
Let’s be honest, this is a biggy and like nothing else many of us will ever of experienced before, so of course our anxiety levels are going to of increased. This is a perfectly NORMAL response to this situation.
What is important that we try to remember, is that anxiety is an emotional response that cannot directly harm us, however it is how we respond to it and what we do with it, that matters.
So I ask you to acknowledge it’s existence!!
Give it permission to be there – these are uncertain times.
Acknowledge its use – it is our internal warning system, it’s designed to provide safety and protection.
Then I ask you to pick it up and carry it around with you as you go about your day, and try and incorporate some of these simple steps:
Reduce your exposure to what’s going on. Stop checking the news for updates, be selective in what you are seeing and what your exposing yourself to. Many of us are at home, so have access to radio, tv, internet, mobile phones and social media 24/7. Turn if off for a while.
Exercise – Stay active, however this might look for you. Where possible go out for a walk, or get out in the garden. The fitness industry have done a great job in providing us with some great online content, from HIIT classes, to yoga, Pilates, to weight training from home. Even kids PE classes are popping up online. It’s great! Do some research and find something that feels right for you.
Fresh air – try and gain some fresh air however you can, whether this is going for a walk, getting out in your garden or sitting by an open window.
Social contact – Social distancing does NOT mean social isolation. As a species we are not designed to be on our own. We need contact! We just have to be more creative about how we do that. Use video calling, phone people, message people, email people. For those of us whose lives have been forced to slow down, take the opportunity to reach out and connect with those who you never quite get round to. Stay in contact any way you can from a safe distance.
By taking into account some of these simple steps above I would hope that whilst your anxiety may not of completely gone away, the weight of its presence will of reduced.
For those who are struggling I have moved my my practice to offer online therapy. If you want a little bit of extra support right now then please do not hesitate to get in touch at katie.warren@trenpatherapy.co.uk and if you are unsure what online therapy looks like take a look at my blog on ‘Online Therapy’.
