An estimated 275 million people globally suffer from some form of an anxiety disorder, that is not including the people who feel anxious and have not done been diagnosed. In my position as a counsellor I see many people who have underlying anxiety issues. It has now become the number one mental health issues in the world. With our mentality to get everything and do everything now has made us an even more anxious generation.
Now add to that the world is in crisis over the pandemic of the coronavirus that is infecting and killing thousands of people. Countries are literally shutting down to try and contain the virus and stop it from spreading, stores are clearing out of essential foods and supplies, as people are stock piling. One of the most vulnerable groups is the elderly, they are in the at risk group if they come into contact with it have the most difficulty to heal from it, they are the group of people who have lived through wars and world disasters before yet cannot get their weekly shop or have to spend twice the price for other brands as the shops are clear. In turn they have to cut on essential foods or heating that they need to help support their immune systems to give them some chance if the contact this virus.
Then there is the other groups of people who are suffering already, our homeless, they don’t have a choice to stay in doors and stock pile, if they are living in hostels or hotels it is already difficult and they are forced to come into contact with lots of people in a day just so they can have some shelter and a meal and have no control over what is happening for them.
Schools are closing down to help prevent the spread of the virus which is great but it leaves our already most anxious group more anxious, they have no social outlets with their friends, not understanding what is really going on. They are having to now be independent with their online learning and not know what is going to happen to their exams in the upcoming months etc.
One thing that I feel makes us more anxious is social media, we have been through worse situations over the last number of years but their wasn’t posts every minute from people who didn’t really know what they were talking about, everyone has an opinion which is great but if you believe every opinion you see or hear you will become more anxious and stressed which is not good for your mental and physical body.
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
Don’t panic!
I know it is easier to say than do, but, anxiety is like a seed and worrying is watering this seed and allowing it to grow, creating more negative thoughts. Set yourself a list of ways to prepare rationally if you need to stay indoors for a period of time.
Things you should include of your list are as follows;
- Food – always make sure to have enough non-perishable foods such as tinned foods, rice, pasta, cereal, long-life milk and water. Do go over board, there is plenty of food for everyone if we take it seriously.
- Bills – make sure you budget for your bills still and remember if you are home more your bills may end up being higher. Make sure to budget this one carefully.
- Support – if you do need to self isolate that doesn’t mean completely disconnect from the world, call or message others that may need some support and same for you also.
- Appointments – cancel any unnecessary appointments, if you still need to see a therapist for instance see if you can do a video or voice call.
- Medicine – make sure you have a good supply of medication you may need.
- Work – can you continue to work from home, check with your management if this is an option and make sure you have a secure internet connection.
- Routine – create yourself a new routine and stick to it. I would recommend setting yourself a self-care routine as when our normal routine changes and we end up spending more time on our own for reasons such as covid-19 it takes a lot more out of us, that we don’t always realise, so if you only take one point from my post please let this be it.
- Limit – your intake of what the media is saying and try to only watch/read or listen to one reliable source a day, although social media is great to keep us informed, there is a lot of unreliable reports out there and if you are already feeling anxious this will not help you.
- Be kind – times like this we forget some of our manners, remember everyone is fighting their own battles just like you, kindness can help someone else in ways you don’t understand. With this, don’t judge, we cope differently with situations so just let others be, avoid them if necessary if causes you more stress.
- Remember – this will eventually pass, take care of yourself and do what needs to be done to be safe, but remind yourself that it will eventually pass.
