COPING WITH COVID-19

The world has been faced with a new way of living. The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused many people to suffer from fear and anxiety about a disease. This can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Learning how to cope with stress will make you, loved ones, and the community stronger. The Center for Disease Control (CDC)  offers numerous recommendations for coping during during an infectious disease outbreak. 

Woman exercising
Bowl of healthy food
Man talking on phone

EXERCISE

EAT HEALTHY

CONNECT

WAYS TO COPE WITH STRESS 

  • Be good to your body by exercising and staying active, stretch, take deep breaths and meditate.
  • Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, try to avoid alcohol, and get plenty of sleep. 
  • Connect with others in your life, whether it’s on the telephone or virtual conversations. Chatting with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling can help ease the stress and motivate you to engage in activities you enjoy. 

 

Mental health is a critical part of your overall well-being, especially when an infectious disease outbreak affects daily activities. Stress indicators during a pandemic include: 

  • Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
  • Changes in sleep or eating patterns
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Worsening of chronic health problems
  • Worsening of mental health conditions
  • Increased use of alcohol or tobacco

The CDC recommends that if you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:

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