“How can I calm anxiety during the coronavirus?”

While aspects of the pandemic are out of our control, here are a few ways one can cope in a healthy way during these difficult times: Take care of your body (exercise regularly, meditate/relax, eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of rest); Connect with others in your support system; Take breaks from watching, reading, and listening to the news; Research where and how to get treatment if you do become ill; Connect with community or faith-based groups and organizations for extra support.

Look into the actual science updates rather than watch the news. If you are relatively young and healthy you are in the low risk group.

Good question! It would be important for you to be mindful of your basic needs and meet them. Take care of yourself and give priority to your health.
With that, follow precautions when outside and limit your presence around people while following safety guidelines. Learn mindfulness skills in order to stay calm and learn to let go as long as you take precautionary measures to stay safe. Take steps to improve/maintain good health by eating healthy, exercising to reduce stress and intentionally think positively. It is important to connect with a good support system of family and friends while remaining safe. It is also recommended to limit media exposure so that you become informed of important issues but choose positive media exposure to help you reduce stress and anxiety. It would be very useful to learn meditation. If it is difficult for you to reduce your anxiety, it is advised to seek professional help so that you learn effective skills to reduce your anxiety.

Many people are feeling anxiety about the coronavirus. It’s very difficult to have a potentially lethal virus floating about that we don’t entirely understand. Arm yourself with knowledge (the best facts right now are on the Johns Hopkins University website....data, daily numbers of infection, current mutation of the virus). That will help. Also, don’t be “shamed” into taking risks you don’t want to/have to take. If you prefer not going to the grocery store, don’t go. That can be handled many ways. Do wear a good mask when you go outside. Do not join other people in inside venues. Feel free to ask people you are going to see what their Covid status is and if they have been, to their knowledge, exposed. Remember....this virus is not floating about like a whirlwind. You would actually have to have exposure to it (face to face contact or body fluid to face contact) to get the virus. And breathe....do things that are comforting to you, avoid the news (which is largely “fake” and/or sensationalized), talk with those who are helpful to you.
Thank you for writing a question that is on many minds!

Hi, thank you for your question, and it’s certainly an important one. The coronavirus has created an uptick of anxiety for many people. The approach to addressing that is similar to other types of anxieties, including self statements, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and self-care. Many of my patients have said it’s hard to control the actions of other people, but there are things we can do to protect ourselves, and still have quality of life. Fear of the coronavirus can also be linked to anxieties about other areas of life that are affected. While addressing the specific anxiety or fear, individualizing treatment for each person is also important.

Hoorie Siddique, PhD

Hi. Great question. Try to focus on facts and not fiction. Also focus on the things that you are able to do and not the things that we are prohibited from. That's a start.

I would recommend your contacting a mental health professional, in the mean time I would utilize guided mediation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness. Avoid the news and social media post that are addressing the crisis if you know those events increase your anxiousness.

Hello and thank you for your question,

One of the keys to decreasing anxiety is to practice relaxation strategies. The body/brain cannot be anxious and relaxed at the same time. Therefore, allowing time during your day for you to relax through breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or whatever makes you feel relaxed will decrease anxiety. Practicing daily relaxation strategies can calm your overall anxiety level over time.

Thank you,


Patricia Harris | MA, LPC

San Antonio Counseling and Behavioral Center
4201 Medical Dr., Ste. 330
San Antonio, TX 78229
Phone: (210) 614-4990 | Fax: (210) 614-4991
Patricia.Harris@sacounselingcenter.com
Sacounseling.com/_I facebook.com/SanAntonioCounseling

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You can find information about how to handle the stress of COVID-19 by following my page https://www.facebook.com/ledbetterpsych

Distract yourself with reading, talking to friends and family on the phone or at a distance, learn something new like a language on line, etc.

Take a peak at this link.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/coronavirus-anxiety.htm