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How to Cope with Stress During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

The entire world is going through a tremendous amount of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus is known to spread rapidly and cause harm to the human respiratory system. People have lost lives and daily life is in turmoil. The global pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the world economy as well.

Amidst all this, there is a growing concern regarding the increase in stress levels in people due to COVID-19. To tackle this situation, the World Health Organization has suggested some measures. Read ahead to know more about ways to cope with stress related to COVID-19 and frequently asked questions about the pandemic.

Contents

Tips to Reduce Stress During The COVID-19 Pandemic:
Tips to Help Children During COVID-19 Pandemic:
Frequently Asked Questions:

Tips to Reduce Stress During The COVID-19 Pandemic:

The World Health Organization, has stated some suggestions to help people cope with stress related to this infectious disease. They have shared a document on their website about the same. Here’s an overview.

1) Stay Connected:

As of April 7th, 2020, India – along with other countries – is under a lockdown. People are resorting to Social Distancing. This means they are not supposed to venture out in groups or attend social gatherings. This can be a stressful time for those who like to socialize. It is a crisis and it is okay to feel stressed, sad, and a mix of emotions.

Social Distancing should not stop you from being connected with your loved ones. You can make use of technology to stay connected. With Smartphones and the internet, your dear friends and family are just a Video Call away.

2) Follow Active Lifestyle:

With everyone advising to Stay At Home during the ongoing crisis, people are into self-isolation mode. A huge number of the population is Working From Home. This can take a toll on your lifestyle due to lack of physical activity.

Focus on eating right, sleeping properly and moving about in the house. It is a good practice to exercise, meditate, or perform yoga irrespective of the lockdown. Staying At Home can mess up your eating habits and the sleep cycle. Make an effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle by not overeating, by sleeping well, and exercising regularly.

3) Seek Professional Help:

Stressful situations can cause a lot of mental turbulence. Do not resort to smoking, drinking and drugs. Seek professional help to deal with your emotions. You can connect with a counsellor or a health worker online if you are overwhelmed about the situation. It is a good idea to have a plan in place regarding whom to connect with if your situation escalates.

4) Avoid Fake News:

Nowadays, there are a lot of platforms where one comes across several news pieces. Not all of them might be true. There is fake news being circulated via social media. Therefore, one must not blindly trust any news piece but ensure that it is coming from a proper authority.

Avoid believing everything that is being shared as a WhatsApp forward. Do not fall prey to phishing emails. You can visit the Indian Government’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website for latest updates and frequently asked questions.

5) Limit Media Coverage:

Unfortunately, the majority of the media coverage doesn’t have much positive news. There are a lot of reports about the increasing number of deaths due to the virus. Watching or coming across such news constantly on television or social media can be stressful.

This is where you can limit your daily media coverage. It is essential to stay up to date with the recent happenings to stay informed and alert. However, limiting your exposure to media coverage that upsets you can be helpful.

6) Past Experience:

It is unlikely that a majority of the people have experienced something similar to the COVID-19 pandemic in their lifetime. Therefore, it becomes difficult to draw from past experiences to tackle this seemingly unique situation. However, you can look at your past to find out how you dealt with troubling times.

You can look for inherent skills that have helped you come out of difficult times in life. For someone, it can be painting, for some it can be cooking or something else. Try relying on some past experiences that might have helped you overcome challenging situations and revisit them to overcome the stress associated with the ongoing pandemic.

Also, read: Coronavirus Helpline India

Tips to Help Children During COVID-19 Pandemic:

Children can undergo a lot of stress due to the lockdown and Social Distancing measures. There can be anxiety, fear, and helplessness. This is where you can be a guiding light for your children. The World Health Organization has listed some points on their website regarding the same. Here’s an overview.

1) Be Supportive:

As a parent or an adult around children, you can help the young ones by being supportive. It is natural for them to feel angry, anxious and clingy during these stressful times. Be mindful of listening to their concerns and respond in a supportive manner.

2) Extra Care:

These are extraordinary times. And during these times, you can go the extra mile when it comes to showing affection and care. Spend quality time with them. Engage children with games and create opportunities where they will be relaxed.

3) Stay Close:

Children should be close to their parents and family. If you are away from them, make sure to connect with them frequently via call. If there is a separation due to hospitalization, ensure there is frequent online contact between the child and the caregiver/parent.

4) Follow A Routine:

Ensure there is some kind of a routine in place. Children should get time to play in a safe environment, learn, and relax.

5) Inform Them:

Inform the children about what’s going on in the world in a way that they understand. Make them aware of the risks and precautionary measures without pressing the panic button. You can warn them about a scenario where there might be a need for hospitalization. Inform, don’t scare.

Also, read: Ways To Remain Healthy During Social Distancing

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Most of the answers for these are sourced from the World Health Organization’s website.

Can I prevent contracting the virus if I am exposed to sun or temperatures more than 25 degree Celsius?

No, exposing yourself to the sun or higher temperatures will not prevent the COVID-19 disease. Countries that experience hot weather have also reported cases of the virus.

Is it possible to recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease?

Yes, it is possible to recover from the disease.

Is there a simple breathing exercise to determine if I have the virus?

No, there is no simple breathing exercise to determine if you have the virus. If you are feeling too anxious, you can check out the Free Online Consultation Tool and make an informed choice. Here’s the link.

Can drinking alcohol protect me against the virus?

No, drinking alcohol will not protect you against COVID-19.

Can cold weather conditions eliminate the virus?

No, cold weather or snowy conditions are not known to kill the virus.

Does the COVID-19 virus get transmitted via mosquito bites?

No, the COVID-19 virus does not get transmitted via mosquito bites.

Does the virus affect people who are in a particular age group?

The virus can affect people of all age groups.

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References:

Coping with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdf?sfvrsn=9845bc3a\_2
Helping children cope with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff\_2
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change. Refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.