In times of anxiety, you want to be mindful of your reactions and what works best for you. Here are a few suggestions:
- Be Mindful of Media - If media exposure bumps up your anxiety or keeps you from sleeping at night, you may want to cut back on this. If you are going to follow media, then I recommend sticking with science-based sources that offer real scientific facts. For some people, this will help lower their stress hormone.
- Acknowledge Your Anxiety - Notice when you're feeling anxious, then ground yourself by taking a few slow, deep breaths. This will release hormones that move your body away from stress. Another option is to go for a walk or do something to bring you back to the present moment through one of your senses. Get a cozy blanket or other item and notice its texture, or smell something calming. Anything that takes you away from your anxious thought and brings you back into the present will help.
- Control What You Can - Do 'doable' things like wash your hands, cough or sneeze into your arm, or avoid shaking hands. Even things that are unrelated to the illness, like an easy work task, will lower your stress reaction.
- Surround Yourself with Calm People - If you have people in your life that ramp up your anxiety, try to steer clear of them and instead seek support from people who are level-headed and calm.