The top 10 things to help reduce anxiety at home

The news and spread of COVID-19 have shaken the world to its core. Everyone is in fear as the situation has started to take an emotional toll. You must be feeling stressed, powerless and anxious as well. You need a break from all that worrying. You need to detach yourself from all that is bothering you.

Experts at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended staying indoors,

isolate, maintain social distancing and self-quarantine to prevent the spread. All of which is easier said than done, and has caused massive internal chaos in our lives. 

However, if you hold on and read to the end of the article, we have some excellent anxiety tips and recommendations for you to follow.

If you are looking to get help now, then have a look at our inpatient anxiety treatment program here in Washington State.

1. ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT

Accept that this has become the new norm. It is not just you, but many people, all around the globe, feel exactly as you do. It is a pandemic, and it is worrisome for everyone. However, it is a universal feeling recognised and felt by everyone.

This is a temporary change to life, and sooner or later things will go back to how they used to be, how you want them to be. Just know that your life only has a few new rules that you need to follow.  It’s going to be okay.

Social distancing is hard, but it is even more critical for us in the given time. Accept it.

• LIMIT YOUR SCREENTIME

Hear us out, and understand that this is a vital corona anxiety tip that we are giving out.

Stop checking CDC again and again, stop checking the curve, even stop using  Facebook and Twitter for the time being. We would suggest that you only check the news once every day. When things have to get better, they will. If you stay on your toes, you will not be able to reduce anxiety. Coronavirus will leave when it has to, keeping a check over and over again won’t make it vanish magically.

Yes, we understand that you feel the urge to check on the updates, but it is only going to mess with your head. Moreover, even social media can be helpful at times with memes, vines and cat videos. Still, nowadays it’s filled with extreme views, exaggerated stories as well as conspiracy theories and myths.

• YOU CAN NOT CONTROL EVERYTHING

Be grateful for the things you have, and don’t be ungrateful for the things you lost. Many of you had to postpone important events of your life such as weddings, graduation and even the kids are home from school. But it’s not the end of the world.

Pick up a journal and write down what you are thankful for today. Did you have a good meal? A good laugh? Did you spend some time with a loved one? All of these matters. You should do this each time you are hitting a low point, and it will surely help you come out of that anxious zone.

Don’t narrow it down to the negatives, spread positivity, and the world needs it now more than ever. 

• STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

To fight the virus, you need a robust immune system. However, with stress and anxiety, you can weaken it. Right now, you need some excellent nutritional food and some exercise for both your mind and body to keep your fit and ready to battle against the virus.

So, cut down on that alcohol, throw away the cigarettes and stop stress eating those cupcakes, you don’t need that much sugar.

Workout if you can’t go outside.  Dance to your favourite songs, tag your family along, call a friend up and dance together on zoom or Skype. There are so many fun options —  and it’s finally time you start taking care of your body.

• RECONNECT

Your loved ones may be physically away from you, but they are close to your heart. Get in touch with your lovely aunt or distance cousins or your amazing grandparents. You need them, and they need you. It’s finally the time to catch up on everything. Resolve some past problems if you have to.

Expressing your feelings and showing that you care can help you connect with those who have been far for a long time.

• MEDITATE / PRAYER

Shut down your mind from all the fuss and worries, even if it is for two minutes. Stop and do nothing and think about nothing. If you don’t know how to meditate, you can easily self-medicate with apps like Calm or Headspace.

• BUILD A ROUTINE

Having a job, going to school, life was more relaxed because you had a routine. You can have one now too if you are studying and from home, wake up early, take a shower, have an excellent breakfast and get to your day. A routine may help you stay a little more productive and a little less anxious.

• TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

You can’t go out doesn’t mean you can’t see the outside world. You can visit museums, go to the park, enjoy nature, all from the safety of your home.

Watch an animal or nature documentary from Nat Geo or Animal Planet to make you feel more connected to the outside world that isn’t being influenced by the virus.

And at  Google Arts & Culture you can find an extensive collection of fantastic art galleries that you can not get enough of.

• READ A BOOK

Escape this world and dive into the world of fiction. It is time to read that book that you have always wanted to.read. So, get your hands on all those books that have been waiting for you. If you don’t have any, you can download some great ones for from a plethora of platforms. And if reading is too stressful, you can always try audiobooks or even a fun podcast.

1. UNWIND, RELAX AND TAKE A NAP OR TWO

Get good sleep when your.mind is overly active. Just stop and take a nap. Or you can give yourself a nice self-care routine, put a facemask on, colour your hair, take a long shower, give your legs, feet or hands a massage. Do whatever that gives you the.peace of mind.

END NOTE

Understand that you are not in this alone, after a long time, on the face of humanity, every single human stands together. So, it is better that you pat yourself on the back for making it this far, there’s still a long way to go, but it will be over. You need to reduce anxiety, and coronavirus is not here to stay.  Follow the coronavirus anxiety tips, as mentioned above, and you will find yourself in a better place.