Written by Katherine Diaz, edited by Dr. Ko
Let’s face it, life can be stressful. During these times of COVID 19 with so much information at our fingertips, it can get overwhelming really fast. Some of us may be constantly refreshing our phones for new updates, all the while trying to grasp what may be happening in our community, the nation, and around the world.
But a lot of us forget one of the most important things to do during these times of frustration, panic, and confusion. The most important exercise we forget to do is just to breathe.
How many times have you stopped what you were doing to take a deep breath? Don’t get us wrong, such a simple exercise to do, and yet it slips our minds.
Why? Because humans are usually busy with family, career, and life in general. But in recent months everything we knew has been thrown upside down: work, career, community, daily routines, and now a global pandemic.
Whether we’d like to or not, it’s now our new reality, and what most people like to call, “the new normal.” This can cause us to forget to breathe and focus on what we cannot control rather than what we can control.
“God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.”
Our bodies and minds can be easily overwhelmed with drastic news that come to us all at once, like a freight train with no brakes. With every second passing, the train picks up speed until it ends in a disaster. Hitting us like a ton of bricks while our society goes into full survival mode, emptying the shelves of once fully stocked just weeks before.
It’s easy to get mixed up in the chaos of it all, and almost immediately, the anxiety starts to build up with every news article or channel we switch to. Constantly being thrown numbers and new information that it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lost in the abundance of it all.
But just because we are in a pandemic, doesn’t necessarily mean we should panic, causing our anxiety to go through the roof. Although there might not be a cure for what we may be feeling, there are definitely ways to manage anxiety during these uncertain times:
It’s Okay to Feel What You are Feeling:
You are certainly not alone. Many people are going through the same emotions.
But when you are feeling overwhelmed, just sit or lay for a moment and actually feel what you are feeling.
Sometimes we just have to sit and be present in the moment. Just breathe deeply and tell yourself that it’s okay to feel these emotions and feelings. We are human and we are going through something only seen in the movies or read about in the history books. Remember you are not alone in this pandemic, as your loved ones, all may be feeling the same way. Talk and check-in with a loved one, a friend, or a neighbor. Bottling up your emotions is never the answer. Just by discussing your emotions, you may feel a bit better.
Another great tip is to actually find a cause to what may be triggering your anxiety. Could it be the news? The articles you are reading? Social media? Or that you may be cooped up in the house for too long?
All of these can trigger your anxiety especially if it’s out of the norm from your usual routine. If it is, then turn off your television or put down your phone and read a book, take a walk around your neighborhood, or go for a drive to clear your mind.
Put your Phone Down:
We are addicted to our phones! We expect to be able to find answers quickly and at our fingertips! Although it can be very useful, it can also be very dangerous. Causing our brain to look up every symptom that we feel and find false information that may frighten and cause more panic.
Yes, you should stay informed, but please put your phone down or even in a separate room. You can enjoy the present moment with your family, a significant other, or your animal friends. Find something fun to do and be in the moment, whether that is a backyard barbecue, watching a movie, or having a game night with whomever you may be self-isolating with.
Consume to Know, But Don’t Over Consume:
Yes, it’s great to stay up to date with the latest updates, but that doesn’t mean having the television on all day long or scrolling through your phone endlessly reading article after the next.
That’s not good either. It’s important to be informed but keep it to a minimum. Once or twice a day should be enough to know the latest information, but not enough to overwhelm yourself. Don’t flare up your anxiety by consuming too much information that may be causing a sensory overload.
After hearing or reading the news, it would be best to immediately do something you love. Whether that is painting, playing a game, or reading a book. That way whatever you have read or seen doesn’t stay in your mind causing your anxiety to build up or have unnecessary thoughts run through your mind.
Stick to Your Normal Daily Routine:
Just because you’re at home self-isolating doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stick to a schedule. As the days grow longer, and you start to feel sluggish, you might be thinking as to why. A good reason may be because your body and mind are not used to your new daily routine. Sure, binging shows for 12 hours, and eating junk food, maybe an amazing idea at first, but after a few days, it may get a bit repetitive and boring. Accordingly, it may cause you to miss your old routine or wanting to start a new one.
Humans naturally seek out a routine and form habits surrounding them. So, when our new normal became a reality, it threw our schedule’s upside down. Instead, the best thing for us to do in the world of uncertainty is to try to live your life as normal as possible. Meaning to stick your pre-self-isolating daily routine as possible. Of course, you may have to make a few adjustments, but in the end, you may feel more motivated, causing less anxiety.
Find a Hobby:
What a better time to start a hobby than now? Not having enough time on our hands, seems to be the phrase of the past. Whether you have a hobby or want to start one, there is no better moment than today.
Pick up the brush/colored pencils or start practicing an instrument. Not only will it allow your anxiety to be acting up, but it will also stimulate your mind, and otherwise focus your attention on your newfound hobby.
Who knows maybe you will be the next Picasso all thanks to having too much time on your hands, in a time where the world has self-isolated? The birds are chirping, the streets are bare, and the peacefulness and Zen in the comfort of your own home may allow your creative juices to flow easily.
Check-in with Yourself:
Lastly, just always remember to know how you are feeling and check-in with yourself as well. You may be too preoccupied with family or calling all your loved ones, that you may put your own sanity and self in the back burner.
But now more than ever is the perfect time to focus on YOU, learn about yourself a bit more, whether you need a self-care day or just a few minutes on your own. This is the perfect time to do the things you had always wanted to do but never had the time to. Don’t let the moment pass, although it may be a stressful time, it can also be a time of self-reflection and gratitude for the things that we all have in our lives.
Take a moment to breathe as this will soon pass. Don’t get overwhelmed but if you do, I hope these simple tips will help you in these times of uncertainty.
Always remember to stay safe, stay healthy, and stay at home.
Got any tips for managing anxiety during stressful times? Let us know down in the comments below!
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Let’s face it, life can be stressful. And at times with so much information at our fingertips, it can get overwhelming, really quick, really fast. Constantly refreshing our phones for new updates. All while trying to grasp what may be happening around our community, the nation, and around the world.