As Coronavirus COVID-19 news spread throughout the world, a high level of alert and stress has been reached among the population. Sensationalist stories and misinformation add on to the angst and panic. Today, countries around the world have had to take on the necessary measures to deal with the rapid spread of the virus, with great uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring.

According to an article from the Medical Center of the Vanderbilt University in the United States, the response and levels of anxiety and stress between of the population in regards to coronavirus COVID-19 has been rated as similar to that of other global catastrophic events such as the HIV outbreak, mass shootings, or even the 9/11 terrorist attack.

As a result of increased anxiety and stress, health can be directly affected, as the immune system is weakened, making the person more susceptible to contagion. Hence the importance of continuing to carry out healthy activities, maintaining a nutritious diet
exercising, getting enough rest and looking to enjoy things.

Some other suggestions made by the World Organization of Health and the Centers for Disease Control are:

• Limiting the follow-up of updates on COVID-19 to reliable sources, and only 1 or 2 times a day.
• Deep breathing or meditating before reading the information update.
• Talk to people who you trust when you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed, like friends or family.

It’s true, we can’t control the coronavirus, but we can control our reaction to it.

Therefore, follow the recommendations of WHO and the authorities. Taking the necessary preventive measures and staying calm, will help to maintain and spread a context of peace of mind during adversity.

References

Billups, E. (2020, March 13). Coping with

Anxiety and Stress in the Age of Coronavirus. https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/lexington/news/2020/03/13/coping-with-anxiety-and-stress-in-the-age-of-covid19

Kendall, J. (2020, March 10). Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

https://www.vumc.org/coronavirus/latest-news/coronavirus-stress-managing-stress-and-concerns