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Writer's pictureDr. Delvena Thomas

COVID-19 Blog 2


Misinformation is deadly. We are seeing, reading and hearing information on all outlets, some of which is false. Social distancing, voluntary isolation and quarantines are mentally challenging for many. We are amid a public health crisis.

Besides individual personal challenges, many businesses are challenged financially. To quote Congresswoman Fredericka Wilson, “I would not let my business collapse.”

Due to COVID-19 some people are experiencing symptoms consistent with acute stress reaction which is a fancy way of labeling the angst we feel after a traumatic experience. We have great reason. We are social animals, so this new connection, or lack of, is different. There are good reasons for the anxiety people are currently experiencing - new anxiety and anxiety that has worsened since the stay at home orders.

THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS MAKE US ANXIOUS:

We do not have time to point fingers or place blame. It is the misinformation, the not knowing, the unknown; they ALL cause a lot of nervousness.

When will we get more tests?

Why aren’t we testing asymptomatic ppl? (We know that pre-symptomatic people are more contagious so where are the tests?)

When will we get a vaccine?

What will happen once the stay at home orders end? Will we still get sick? Die?


PEOPLE HAVE FEARS OF DYING

Then there is the data about African Americans – infected more and dying more although we are the minority in America.

All human beings experience anxiety from time to time.

Self-quarantine and social distancing can cause stress, sadness and nervousness all of which are common and, in most situations, not considered pathological meaning it does NOT mean you have a mental disorder. And remember, everyone responds differently to stress.

Anxiety is not bad. It could be a signal that something is bad. It is bad when it gets out of control and THAT is when we should worry. If it is channeled properly it can be protective.

SOLUTIONS:

Anxiety is an overestimation of a threat and our underestimation of our ability to cope. YOU CAN DO THIS. IF NOT, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP. ALLOW ME TO SAY THIS AGAIN - anxiety is an overestimation of a threat and our underestimation of our ability to cope.

Use anxiety to energize you! To make you more organized, to make you motivated, to remind you of your reason for doing what you do! If you cannot channel the anxiety into positive energy, reach out for help.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

REMAIN HOPEFUL! REMAIN HOPEFUL! REMAIN HOPEFUL!

PRAYER CHANGES OUR THOUGHTS AND HOW WE THINK.

Prayer is a way of transforming your thoughts from negative to positive and to claim a powerful, successful ending like, “God I know if anyone can YOU can. I know you know my heart, my thoughts…”

FACT: A significant amount of people who get sick DO get better.

SOLUTIONS FOR OUR KIDS BEGIN WITH THESE BASICS:

Relationships – their relationship with you and how they perceive you. It’s important!

Routine

Rules

Rewards

Reminders


FOR ALL OF US:

COPING AHEAD - what will you do if faced with a certain situation. Think of ways to cope.

BREATHING THERAPEUTICALLY

Breathing through your diaphragm and not your chest. This is the type of breathing used in martial arts. Breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. 5 seconds and 10 seconds out. Breathing can activate the body's relaxation response.

TELL PEOPLE, “I AM ANXIOUS”, like during public speaking.

MAINTAIN YOUR STRUCTURE, CONTROL control what you can. A lot of ‘this’ is not in our control but there are many things which are. TAKE CONTROL!

STAY SOCIAL There are studies which show that babies respond to faces so the virtual meetings/calls work! Zoom, FaceTime, What’s App, other video platforms.

USE YOUR RESOURCES!

LAUGHTER!!!

DON’T FORGET THE BASICS WHICH SHOULD BE AT THE ROOT OF EVERYTHING:

SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP! Sleep 8-9 hours

HEALTHY EATING

EXERCISE


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