During this COVID-19 outbreak, it’s OK to feel stressed or anxious. Many people are experiencing a new normal, with altered routines. Some common worries may be about the health of yourself or your loved ones, your job and finances, plus uncertainty about the future.
These concerns may take a toll on your mental health. Consider these tips to help ease your mind, as we all work together to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Realize what you may be able to control
Mental Health America states it may be helpful to focus on the things you can control and take comfort in, such as:
- Eating healthy foods, getting daily exercise and maintaining a normal sleep schedule to help you cope with stress that may be brought on by COVID-19 concerns
- Avoiding alcohol, drugs or tobacco products as a way to calm yourself, if you may be feeling overly stressed
- Maintaining self-care and taking time to unwind
- Learning a new hobby or working on home projects
- Limiting your news consumption and making sure you’re getting information from reliable sources, like the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO)
Be aware of signs of anxiety
While it may be more common to feel worried or stressed during COVID-19, anxiety may intensify those feelings. Some common symptoms include:
- Uncontrollable worry or dread
- Stomach and digestion issues
- Trouble with concentration, memory or thinking clearly
- Increased heart rate
- Changes in energy and difficulty sleeping
- Overeating or not eating at all
- Irritability and/or restlessness
Getting help to manage feelings of anxiety
While practicing social distancing or self-quarantine, a few simple acts may help reduce feelings of anxiety, including:
- Take deep breaths.
- Engage in stress-reduction activities like yoga, meditation, journaling or taking a relaxing bath or shower.
- Put your attention on creating and accomplishing, even a simple household chore or a new hobby.
- Reach out to a friend and schedule time to call or video chat, as needed.
Seek additional help and resources
If you’re taking steps to manage anxiety, and they don’t seem to be helping, here are some additional resources to consider:
- Find a mental health professional through your in-network provider database. If you’re a UnitedHealthcare member, sign in to your health plan account to find a behavioral health provider.
- Talk to your primary care provider or another health provider about what you’re experiencing
- Visit online resources such as the American Psychological Association or the American Psychiatric Association
- On-demand emotional support is also available to you through Sanvello, a free mobile app that may help you cope with stress, anxiety and depression during COVID-19
- Or, you can always call 1-866-527-3953 with mental health questions or concerns