Anxiety levels increase due to the virus.
It’s almost been a month since the nation has been in a lock-down. Since the outbreak of the virus, we believe that there has been an increase in the anxiety levels of individuals. As it manifests itself in many ways for people and is individualistic in nature, we cannot be sure of how it crops up for people. The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic seems to be a cause of worry; as the lock-downs are getting extended.
“What does this mean?”
“Will we get through this?”
“Am I going to graduate?”
“What’s going to happen after this?”
This has been the norm for the younger generation. They are increasingly stressed over the future after the pandemic is over. Many are skeptical about the economy and now with the oil prices falling, youngsters are worried about their jobs and their livelihood. The pandemic has adverse affects on everything: healthcare, politics, economy. The virus is affecting everything a person is tied to. Given all of these factors, it is no surprise that there is an increase in the levels of anxiety all over the world.
The main cause of anxiety is the uncertainty of the virus. We don’t know how long it will take for it to be over; or how it affects the economy or if life after this pandemic will ever be the same. There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding this.
SO, how does anxiety manifest itself?
These are some common symptoms with which you can identify your anxiety. Other symptoms can include: restlessness, fidgeting, shortness of breath and constantly worrying about the virus. Sometimes we don’t even know that we’re anxious. This is because we have become immune to the symptoms of anxiety and think it is normal. But it’s not. And unknowingly, we make matters worse for ourselves. How so, you may ask.
Well, when we’re not taking care of ourselves in stressful situations, we’re making it worse. This includes skipping meals, constantly checking news that is negative, not sleeping well. Here are some ways that worsen the anxiety:
Guilt can also cause anxiety.
Many individuals feel guilty because they’re enjoying the lock-down and are getting to spend time with their family which they couldn’t have otherwise. Other individuals are feeling guilty for not being as productive as others during this lock-down. Many feel guilty because they are relieved that they get this time to not do anything. This guilt causes them to feel that they’re bad people which causes anxiety and they push themselves to do things just to feel like they’re not bad people. This is far from the truth. Taking this time to unwind is a good thing. It is normal and expected of you.
There is also a psycho-social stigma around people with Covid or doctors who treat people with Covid. This needs to go. We are already as it is experience a lot of anxiety over what is a highly dangerous situation, ostracism around people who have Covid can lead to others not opening seeking out help when needed. The situation can get a lot worse than it already is when help is delayed
We have seen this happening in our country. The stigma around certain groups can cause a lot of disharmony. We have to remember that we are dealing with a pandemic. We have never dealt with this issue before and therefore, need to keep our anxiety in check before making matters worse for ourselves.
How to cope with anxiety surrounding corona?
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Check the news- within limits
It’s great to stay informed but obsessively checking the news can cause you to be anxious. Be careful of what you read and share. It’s always a good idea to step away from news channels and social media if you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed. Stick to official sources like the CDC and WHO.
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Look at things you can control.
We are living in unprecedented times. Lots of things are not in our control yet we wish it were. But there are things we can control. Take a look at this poster we created to help you with knowing what you can control.
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Journal!
This is one of the best ways to cope with anxieties. Writing down and making a list of worries can be very therapeutic. Once you write down your worries, you can also write about what you can do or the foreseeable solutions for it.
We even have our own journal prompts on Instagram– be sure to check them out! -
Maintain a routine.
Maintaining a routine can help heaps with anxiety. A routine provides a sense of stability and comfort to everyone. If you can stick to a routine, you can feel much more in control of the situation. This also helps from spiraling downwards.
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Self-care!
This is a highly subjective matter. For some, self-care involves skin care and makeup. For others, it involves saying no to certain things and reading a book. Self-care means that you decide what is best for you and others have no say in it. However, if you’re new to this, you can try this for a few days until you can get an idea.
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Online Therapy
In these times, if you feel that your mental health isn’t getting better, it is always a good idea to consult a professional. Read about our take on online therapy here and what we can do to make the transition better.
Pause for Perspective offers online therapy all week. You can DM us on Instagram to set up an appointment. -
Stay connected to your family and friends.
When you’re locked down in your houses, you can feel alone and cut off from the world. To combat this, you have to keep in touch with your family and friends. Make sure you don’t let corona dominate the conversation. Talking to your loved ones can help immensely with dealing with this situation and lets you know that you are not alone.
It’s natural to be worried but we have to make sure we’re not spiraling downward. The future is uncertain but the present doesn’t have to be. We can still try to make the best of the situation and take it one day at a time.