According to the CDC website, “At this time…most people in the United States will have little immediate risk of exposure to this virus.” Because a majority of the news coverage is about the coronavirus (COVID-19), it can seem the virus is everywhere. The virus isn’t everywhere, but the continuous news coverage, both accurate and inaccurate, is.
Are You Wondering How To Avoid Coronavirus Information Overload?
It’s essential to stay informed, but it’s also important to remain calm. One way to avoid coronavirus information overload is to limit how often you see the news. Designate one time each day to seek information from a valid state or federal government site or reputable news organization. It’s best to keep from being around too much news because the anxiety it causes can prevent you from being calm and effective when necessary.
Panic Versus Preparation
It’s especially crucial during times of emergency not to panic. Panic can lead to poor decision making and unsafe situations. For instance, panic buying and being prepared are two different responses to coronavirus. Panic can lead to buying unnecessary items in large amounts. Being prepared is having the state recommended emergency supplies for you and your family.
You should already have emergency items for your family in case of natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes. Being prepared, for any emergency, is our duty to ourselves, our families, and our communities. However, it’s important to use rational thinking while doing so.
Anxious Thoughts Versus Rational Thought
Anxiety about coronavirus may cause someone to catastrophize, which means seeing only the worst outcome of a situation. Catastrophizing can cause a person to think irrationally, make decisions that are not sensible, blow risks out of proportion, and cause hypochondria (feeling like you always have some disease). When catastrophizing, the brain creates a terrible fiction and believes it to be true.
Rational thoughts are grounded. The human brain didn’t evolve to think rationally, which is why we often react with our memories or emotions. Rational thought takes practice and the ability to recognize when anxious thoughts occur.
Can Hypnosis Help with Coronavirus Anxiety?
There are many ways to calm yourself if you feel panicked about the coronavirus: meditation, exercise, professional counseling. Hypnosis for coronavirus anxiety can also help. Hypnosis is an excellent way to quickly train your mind to relax and make informed decisions. Like hypnosis for hypochondria, hypnosis for coronavirus anxiety can replace catastrophic thinking with rational thoughts.
Hypnosis can train your subconscious to separate legitimate coronavirus concerns from irrational ones. Anxiety regarding diseases can stem from actual events in someone’s past, leading them to an irrational fear of illness. Hypnosis can unlock those memories and allow someone to resolve their past experiences, leading to clearer, more rational thinking about the coronavirus. If you feel overly stressed regarding the coronavirus, hypnosis for coronavirus anxiety can work to help you feel calm enough to make intelligent decisions.
Does Exercise help?
Exercise for coronavirus anxiety has a variety of overall health benefits including the ability to reduce those feelings of panic and nervousness. Exercise reduces stress hormones while releasing endorphins which helps to elevate your mood. It also allows you to do something positive for yourself which contributes to a sense of achievement and boosts self-confidence. Think about the types of exercises you like for instance dancing, walking or hiking and determine a routine that you will be able to stick with. If it’s something you enjoy, it will be easier to commit to it.
Can Relaxation Techniques Help Reduce Anxiety?
Meditation and incorporating calming breathing exercises are effective techniques in reducing anxiety and stress. There are some wonderful meditation applications that you can find online that vary from 15 minutes to an hour or so. These methods help to quiet the mind, specifically the negative talk and self-doubt that creeps into our minds from time to time. Utilizing breathing exercises signal the brain to relax and provides a state of calm. Perhaps it’s time to try dedicating 15 – 20 minutes of your day to include meditation and deep breathing.
Consider taking the necessary steps in addressing your coronavirus anxiety. Investing in your well-being and promoting good health is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.