2020 Jul 28;15(7):e0236562. (2020). While there are a lot of attempts to fill in the gaps to inform us about COVID-19, falling in to false information or conspiracy theories may not be the best method for your stress management. Health-promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintaining positive health-related behaviors should be utilized to address increases in psychological distress during the pandemic. However, not only is stress unpleasant, it can also hinder your immunity. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. NIH If so, you certainly aren’t alone. In addition to seeking information from reputable sources, try to be mindful of the myths that may be misleading and pulling your focus from what you can control. Stress is a normal part of life. Find NCBI SARS-CoV-2 literature, sequence, and clinical content: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sars-cov-2/. 2020 Jun 7;17(11):4065. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17114065. Ongoing evaluation of the impact of lifestyle changes associated with the pandemic is needed. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/copingwith-stresstips.html, World Health Organization. Coronavirus Mental Health Considerations. 2020 Mar 6;17(5):1729. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17051729. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26389. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (2020). Newby JM, O'Moore K, Tang S, Christensen H, Faasse K. PLoS One. Say for example you have learned in the past that going to a yoga class helps you to reduce your level of stress. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2020;180:817–818. Read this piece if you're interested in learning more about self-care while social distancing. Back to School in a Pandemic: Tips to Foster Mental Health, How to Curb Emotional Eating During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Domestic Violence When You Can't Leave Home, Tension (e.g., headaches, jaw clenching, teeth grinding), Body pain (e.g., headaches, muscle spasms), Reduced energy (e.g., tiredness, weakness, fatigue). (2019). While this may change over time, it is helpful to pay attention to trends of what makes your stress better or worse. The World Health Organization emphasizes that preventative care plays a crucial role in fighting the Coronavirus, therefore, it’s helpful to boost your coping in an effort to improve your overall well-being. Make the most of the reality that you are in. The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: Rapid review of the evidence. Another example is to limit your consumption of news. Instead of focusing on all the things you cannot do due to certain restrictions can you shift your focus to the coping mechanisms that you now have the opportunity to delve into? JAMA Int. This information is educational in nature and is in no way a substitute for therapy. Understanding the issue can help you to problem solve. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30073-0. The Psychological Impact of Epidemic and Pandemic Outbreaks on Healthcare Workers: Rapid Review of the Evidence. It often causes symptoms such as: The first important step to managing these symptoms is to recognize that they are related to stress. | eCollection 2020. When you are stressed, you require a specific form of intervention self-care: coping. If used as a signal, your stress can motivate you to manage what you can. Manage what you can; release what you cannot. -, Galea S., Merchant R.M., Lurie N. The mental health consequences of COVID-19 and physical distancing: The need for prevention and early intervention. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30460-8. Int J Environ Res Public Health. When it comes to self-care, the more strategies you have in your toolkit, the better. 2020 Jul 27;292:113339. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113339. Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults Int J Environ Res Public Health. Exercise stress testing is a procedure which may have a high risk of droplet spread. The problem of chronic stress. Roy Morgan Unemployment Profile. Another way to deduce which coping skills work is by reflecting on your past. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Brooks S.K., Webster R.K., Smith L.E., Woodland L., Wessely S., Greenberg N., Rubin G.J. Keywords: How Being Mindful Can Bring You Closer to Your Partner, A Therapist's Self-Care Tips to Cope with Stress and Anxiety, Four Types of People Unfazed by the Coronavirus Pandemic, Psychology Today © 2020 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Why Gray Matter Volume and White Matter Connectivity Matter.