Centers for Disease Control confirm what we have sensed, and indeed experienced ourselves. We are in the heart of a pandemic, and we are feeling stressed. What is stress? Stress is a feeling of emotional / physical tension ready to burst forth according to Medical Encyclopedia. Indeed, coping with stress in a coronavirus pandemic is taxing us all.
The Stressors That May Be Haunting Us Now
Mayo Clinic says four strategies for coping with stress could be avoiding, altering, accepting, and adapting to situations. The right combination may be unique for each of us. However, Centers for Disease Control believes the first step is to identify which of these may be our pressure points:
1… Fear and worry about our own health, and that of our loved ones
2… Our financial situation, our job, or support services we rely on
3… Difficulty sleeping or focusing, changes in sleep / eating patterns
4… Deteriorating chronic physical health / mental health problems
5… Increased use of tobacco, alcohol and other calming substances
Healthy Ways of Coping with Stress in a Coronavirus Pandemic
Centers for Disease Control makes positive suggestions we liked so much we included a reference link below. In summary form, it says we should start by reaffirming trusted sources for mental and physical support.
However, taking care of our emotional health is something can do ourselves. Essential components of the model include eating healthily, exercising regularly, and avoiding stimulants. But we must also connect with others. And take breaks from routine to unwind at the end of each day, when coping with stress in a coronavirus pandemic.
It’s also important to stay up to date with news from trusted sources. However, we ought to avoid-over saturating ourselves, and trusting everything on social media. And finally we should hold in mind we are not alone in this world. Reaching out for help is not a sign of a loser. It is an act of courage and trust.
Related
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Preview Image: Fingers of Approaching Storm
