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Daily Life & Coping with Stress in the Time of a Pandemic
It goes without saying that the outbreak of coronavirus disease COVID-19 may be causing most people a lot of stress in a time of uncertainty. Overwhelming feelings are sure to emerge in the form of fear and anxiety in persons of all ages but the way you cope with this stress can make you, your loved ones and your community all the stronger.
Stress during a pandemic can include:
- Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Ways to cope with stress:
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Know the facts and share them with others to help reduce stress:
During times like these, mass information dominates all news stations and sometimes it is difficult to understand what are the real facts. Seek out the facts about COVID-19 and share them. Understanding the risk to yourself and others can make an outbreak less stressful.
Need help? Know someone who does?
If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call:
- Call 911
- Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990 and TTY 1-800-846-8517 Or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
*Source: CDC