Feeling anxious is a natural part of life. 2020 has undoubtedly been a nerve-wracking year and many people around the world have found themselves overwhelmed by the constant string of negativity. As a licensed neurologist in Dubai, I’ve put together a few tips to help you manage your anxiety during these difficult times.
Manage your stress
Find the factors that stress you out the most and try to work through them. While you may not be able to eliminate certain factors altogether, there are ways you can manage them so that you take off some burden.
If you find that the news or social media has a negative impact on your emotions, try to disconnect for a bit. With social media, you’re able to block or mute certain words and phrases so that you don’t have to see anything relating to the topics that stress you out. Try your best to avoid the news that is known to be more negative than usual these days.
Keep yourself busy
Letting yourself spiral in anxiety will do you no favors. It will be difficult at first to focus your energy elsewhere when you’re in a state of panic and anxiety, but you should give it a shot. Learn a new skill or hobby, practice something you’ve always wanted to get better at, or even journal! Anything to keep your mind busy and productive.
Go back to what makes you happy
If there are certain things in your life that have brought you happiness in the past, try to recreate those moments. It could be a book, a movie, or even a loved one or a pet – remember that there were times where you weren’t constantly anxious and that there are things to make you feel better. Re-read your favorite book or watch your favorite movie again!
Practice self-care
In order to stay mentally and physically healthy, it’s important that you take care of yourself and your body. Rest enough, consume healthy foods, exercise, or even focus on taking care of your skin – it will help you feel physically better over time and, in turn, help boost your mental health.
Stay connected with loved ones
It’s a difficult time for everyone. With self-quarantine, many people feel more alone than usual especially if they’re living alone. Staying connected with your friends and family will help you feel less alone in your darkest times. It’s important to remind ourselves that we do have people who care for us, who we care for, that we can speak to at any time in the day thanks to social media. Schedule video calls when you can or just pick up the phone and give someone a call.
Rely on trustworthy sources
If you do want to stay up-to-date with news, make sure you follow reliable sources. Social media is full of negativity from all sides, even from news sources who do tend to exaggerate certain stories. Trust reliable and legitimate sources when it comes to news around the Coronavirus – the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to name a few.
When you’re constantly hearing exaggerated negative views, it only puts a bigger strain on your mental health and knowing the right sources to trust will help you stay calm.
