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Keeping up with coverage of the pandemic COVID-19, disease caused by new coronavirus, can become a trigger for anxiety. Staying informed about how Brazil and the world are dealing with the situation is important, but so is taking care of your mental health. q2k21
According to the most recent survey of Ministry of Health, until Thursday (19) Brazil had 621 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and six deaths caused by the disease. In the world, according to World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently 209.839 confirmed cases and 8.778 deaths.
Check below tips how to avoid a possible spiral of anxiety following the unfolding of the pandemic.
Avoid getting carried away by the flood of information 653n6n
A COVID-19 and new coronavirus are dangerous, but so is too much information about them. According to experts and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), constantly tracking coverage of the pandemic can cause anxiety.
The ideal is to find a balance point to stay informed about developments without panicking. The tip is to choose specific times of the day to read, watch and/or listen to news and information about the COVID-19.
Another important recommendation is to choose reliable sources to consume this information, such as OMS, Ministry of Health and national and local media outlets.
“I check in once a day, in the morning. What will happen today and what are the recommendations? That's it. Then I tune out about things related to COVID-19.”
Anu Asnaani, a psychologist at the University of Utah who specializes in fear-based disorders.
In the case of feeds e timelines of social networks, in addition to the constant flow of information, it happens in the so-called “bubbles” created by the filters and social circles of each . This opens the door for the viralization of WhatsApp announced the donation of US$ 1 million to contain them.
As difficult as it may seem, especially in times of social distancing and quarantine, keeping a certain distance from social media can be good for your mental health.
Practice 'Time Distancing' 252z67
If you follow the daily growth in the number of confirmed cases and deaths caused by new coronavirus make you very distressed, temporal detachment can be helpful. According to Ethan Kross, professor of psychology at University of Michigan, the technique is to look at things from a long-term perspective.
A practical example is to imagine what it would be like to think about this period that we are facing one (or more) years from now. Another recommendation is to place the pandemic in a historical context. “We, as a society, faced similar things in the past and survived them,” said the professor.
Isolate yourself but not so much 275p24
Practicing social distancing is important to prevent the new coronavirus from spreading and contaminating even more people. But this isolation, together with the concern for family and friends, can become a trigger for stress, sadness and anxiety. So : isolation is only physical, not complete.
This means that it is still possible to cultivate virtually, whether by message, video calls and the like, with those who are important to you. Are you out of ideas? Here are some suggestions: arrange to watch a series or movie and comment later in the family group; play some online game with friends (from Fortnite Gartic, there are several for PC, video games and smartphones); make group audio or video calls (WhatsApp, Discord e Skype or Whatsapp are good requests); and so on.
Do things that relax you 1e6fi
Watch movies and series, exercise, draw, write, listen to music, cook, meditate. Anything that makes you feel good and relaxed is good to fill that extra time you'll be spending at home. Psychologist Asnaani also recommends practices that are pleasurable and more forward-looking, so that you can take your mind off the present.
Why is this new coronavirus pandemic so stressful? 5x4m2s
Basically, because all our attention is focused on the threatening aspects of the situation, according to psychology professor Kross. And this threat permeates common habits in our daily lives, like putting our hands on our faces and greeting people.
Furthermore, there is not much that can be done to prevent COVID-19 in addition to washing your hands often and avoiding leaving the house as much as possible. This feeling of not being in control of the situation also causes anxiety, according to psychologist Asnaani. “From an evolutionary point of view, control and security is what keeps our species alive. When we feel threatened, we take precautions not to die,” she explains.
The goal is to motivate people to take actions that keep them safe, but in some cases this makes them feel more and more anxious. That's why it's important to know practices that can reduce all this anxiety. It is also a public health issue.
Sources: Wired, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ministry of Health e World Health Organization (WHO)
