How to Cope with the Stress of Coronavirus?

Coronavirus pandemic has become an era in which the lives of the human race are on stake. Every individual is going through some form of anxiety. Every one of us is worried about life and death. Most importantly, what if I get a Coronavirus? Am I going to die? What will happen to my beloved one, family? There are several questions along with worry in the peoples' minds, right now. Everyone is stressed and keep thinking about survival. Although, the problem is not only the coronavirus, but is the consequences the people will have to go through in the long term.

According to a psychiatrist from Harvard University, the major consequences of this coronavirus is the mental illness or some form of mental anxiety. Many such cases have been encountered recently. Not only the people but the doctors are much more stressed because they are the first responders in fighting COVID. The doctors are facing anxiety because they know they might contract their family members and beloved ones. If we can not spend time with the family members, children, life partners, we will feel lonely and as a result, we will get stressed and feel hopeless.

Similarly, people at home who are maintaining social distancing from own family members are not able to express themselves very well. Many of us want to hug our kids, partners, parents but we are being pushed away because of the fear of being contaminated. So, what can be the consequence of this? People can not express their feelings through digital media, from 2 feet distance. We have a habit of expressing ourselves by touching and feeling our beloved ones. This has led us in a world of forceful separation and the result is very frustrating. 

These things stimulate our Limbic System, which functions as flight and fright during stress and fear. We can get symptoms like: 

• Sweating
• Palpitations
• Increased heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure
• Lack of energy and more.

So, how to deal with the stress of coronavirus? We need to find a HOPE. We need to keep our schedule going. Along with following the scientists' order of maintaining social distancing and washing hands, we need to develop much better habits that we have been thinking of for a very long time but not being able to do because of the busy schedule. To COPE with the stress what we can do.

Mental First AID

• Eat Healthy and on time
• Sleep well
• Exercise Daily.

Other than that, Harvard Psychiatrist suggests:

• Cook at home ( Find a recipe and try it)
• Play with your children maintaining distance.
• Dance, Listen to music.
• Meditation.
• Get attached to your religious belief. (Pray and talk to your God and express yourself)
• Read and write.
• Decrease screen time.
• Have an open conversation with your children about Coronavirus and motivate them.
• Call your beloved one who is fighting and dealing with this invisible.
• Find something interesting and do it.
• Don't watch news about coronavirus during bedtime.

Plug out your limbic system. Do not let it work all the time.