Calling all people who have anxiety! How are you doing right now? Not so good? I understand. It’s a challenging time for those of us who have some form of anxiety. It’s difficult to process all the information thrown at us right now. Is the world ending? Are we just paranoid? What’s going to happen? So many questions!
Stop.
Breathe.
We are going to get through this.
Here’s how:
1.Don’t Panic
I’m not saying that this pandemic isn’t important, just that panicking never does any good. I love the British motto during WWII - Keep Calm and Carry On. Think about how difficult that must of been for them to do when any minute bombs could rain down on their city. We can take this pandemic seriously and do what we need to do, but still not panic.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale.
2.Be prepared
For heavens sake don’t rush out and buy up all the toilet paper! At the same time, it’s a good idea to be prepared. One of the best lessons I learned from my Mormon parents is to be prepared. We always had a stocked food storage growing up. Now as an adult, I always have a few cases of water on hand and enough non-perishable food to last for a month. I also keep paper products stocked. It’s a good idea even when there is no emergency. I understand not everyone has the room for a month of food storage, but try to aim for at least a week or two stocked.
3.Connect with people
This is an important time to feel connected to loved ones. Obviously we should limit our social interactions in person, but that doesn’t mean we can’t email, text, or call. Make sure they are okay. They will make sure you are okay. Just knowing we aren’t alone in this can be very helpful.
4.Be ready and willing to help
Be ready to run errands or bring food to those who are sick. Be aware when all is said and done, there will be people hurting financially as well. People will struggle. My daughter goes to dance classes several times a week. If classes are canceled, the teachers don’t get paid. I know the owner of the studio and know she will bend over backwards to help her employees, but there is only so much she can do as she will be hurting financially as well. We need to be ready to help these people get through this. Our government often tries to help businesses, but it’s up to us to help individual people.
5.Take a break
Take a break from social media - go get lost in a book, or a TV show. Take a long, hot bubble bath. Convince your partner (or pay your child) to give you a back massage. Do some Yoga. Call a good friend you haven’t talked to in a while and catch up without talking about current events. Whatever self care you need to do to calm your anxiety, do it.
We can get through this, but it will take us all coming together and helping. Take another deep breath. Hold it. Now release it. I got you. You got me. We can do this.
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