Stay safe from the coronavirus means that you need to stay up to date with the latest developments of the epidemic. But with hourly updates from all over the world, keeping up with the outbreak can be daunting, stressful, and overwhelming.
If you're experiencing any of these feelings, then your mental health is being negatively impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. To help you stay physically and mentally healthy in this turbulent time, this Pacific Prime blog will take you through 7 mental health tips that will keep you sane.
1. Avoid speculative news sources
When it comes to the coronavirus outbreak, fake news is spreading much more rapidly than the virus itself. Why is this dangerous? Two reasons:
- Bad advice: People who are misinformed about how to stay safe from the coronavirus can pass on bad advice, putting others at risk of contracting the disease.
- Overreaction: Speculative news can often inflate the number of people who are actually infected by the virus. This can put unnecessary stress on others as they scramble to implement preventative measures that are not relevant to their situation.
For this reason, it's best if you stick with reliable news sources locally and internationally, and focus only on the hard facts that are being reported.
2. Anticipate distress
If you've experienced prolonged periods of distress, you'll know that these negative emotions often arise in patterns. In the case of the coronavirus, it can be right after you've received news about the widening spread of the disease.
Feelings of distress can be particularly intense for anyone who has experienced trauma or high levels of stress in the past.
Here are a few simple things you can do to reduce anxiety and emotional distress, according to Psychology Today:
- Deep breathing and meditation: Sit with your eyes closed and turn your attention to your breathing.
- Recognize that your feelings are not facts: Accept that you are feeling distressed and start challenging your negative moods with reasoning.
- Plan a day trip: Taking a break from your day-to-day life and spending a day in nature is a great way to reduce feelings of distress.
- Reduce caffeine: Caffeine can trigger panic attacks and anxiety attacks. It also worsens symptoms of stress like heart palpitations and migraines.
3. Stay connected with friends and families
Research has shown that healthy and close connections with friends and families can significantly improve both your physical and mental wellbeing.
This makes opening up about your stress to close friends and families an important mental health tip. This can be either going a family activity on the weekends or meeting up with friends for dinner.
4. Implement preventative measures
When it comes to coping with distress, doing things that will directly make you feel more stable and secure works wonders.
In the case of the coronavirus outbreak, implementing coronavirus avoidance measures can go a long way to helping you achieve peace of mind.
Here are 5 things you can do to stay safe from the virus:
- Avoid crowded, unventilated spaces
- Avoid traveling abroad unless necessary
- Wear a face mask outdoors
- Exercise regularly and maintain a balanced diet
- Get enough sleep every day
Another way to get some peace of mind is by purchasing an international health insurance plan that covers for coronavirus treatment. This way, you can rest assured that even if you are infected by the novel virus, your treatment costs are covered.
Next, we'll look at a mental health tip that's not only good for you, but also for your family.
5. Talk to your children
If you've got children, chances are that they've heard of the coronavirus, either from you or from others. For this reason, it's important that you talk to your children regularly about the virus, instead of avoiding it.
Let them know that it's okay to be scared about the virus, and tell them that there are ways they can protect themselves against it. This will prevent your children from ignoring the severity of the outbreak or overreacting to the fear that they may be infected.
Most importantly, let them know that they are safe and that it's okay to ask questions about the virus. By focusing on the facts, you can protect your children by keeping them correctly informed about the latest updates.
6. Don't forget your hobbies
With the coronavirus outbreak being declared a global health emergency, you've got plenty of good reasons to stay indoors as much as possible.
But doing so can take a toll on your mental health. Staying indoors for many days in a row can take a toll on your mood, causing you to feel depressed and unmotivated.
A great way to get some outdoor exposure is to pursue a hobby, such as jogging, strolling, or even shopping. These activities will allow you to get more exposure to sunlight and outdoor nature, also known as ' ecotherapy '.
7. Consult a therapist
Finally, if you're too overwhelmed by everything that's been going on in the news, it's best to consult a therapist. These professionals are trained to help you identify the roots of your distress and guide you through effective coping strategies.
The only problem is that quality mental health treatment can be extremely expensive. This is why it is also recommended for you to get insurance for mental wellness programs.
Global health insurance brokers like Pacific Prime can offer you further advice on where you can find the most cost-effective health insurance plan out there. For a free consultation session and price comparison quote, contact our team of experts today!
