Stress

 

Stress can cause the following:

• Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
• Changes in appetite, energy levels, desires, and interests
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
• Physical reactions such as headaches, body aches, stomach problems, and rash
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Aggravation of mental health problems
• Increased consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other substances

It's natural to feel stress, anxiety, anguish, and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following are ways to help yourself, help others, and the community cope with stress.

Healthy alternatives to cope with stress

Take breaks and stop watching, reading, or listening to the news. This includes social media. It's okay to be informed, but constantly hearing news about the pandemic can be distressing. Consider limiting watching the news to just a few times a day and disconnecting from phone, television, and computer screens for a while.

• Take care of your body.
• Take deep breaths, stretching exercises, or meditationexternal icon.
• Try to eat healthy foods and well-balanced meals.
• Get regular exercise.
• Sleep well.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.

Keep taking routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.Get vaccinated against COVID-19 when the vaccine is available.

Make time to relax. Try to do other activities that you enjoy.

Communicate with other people. Talk to an external icon you trust about your concerns and how you feel.

Connect with your faith and community organizations. As long as social distancing is in order, try to connect with loved ones online, through social media, or by phone or mail.