Coronavirus: How To Cope During This Time

In February, out of 18,000 Chinese citizens, 42.6% reported feeling anxiety over coronavirus. More than 300 hotlines were overwhelmed by calls from anxious Chinese residents. In the United States, the situation is similar. Almost half of Americans have reported that coronavirus has harmed their mental health. It is easy to understand why mental health problems could arise from coronavirus. Many are scared of losing a loved one or upset over the loss of so many lives. If your mental health is being affected by coronavirus, you may consider following some of these coronavirus coping mechanisms. 

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Find Reliable News Sources 

With COVID-19 misinformation running wild, it is easy to allow false news sources to worry you. Find a reliable news source that you have control over. For example, when you watch the evening news, you can’t control what you will see as easily as you can when reading an article on your phone. On your phone, you can swipe past triggering photos or videos. Additionally, you might consider limiting how much you look at the news. Instead of allowing yourself to look throughout the day, choose a certain time of day to check the news. 

Distract Yourself 

Without any distractions, you will mentally wear yourself out. When you have nothing to think of besides the subject that is stressing you out, your mental health will take a downwards turn. While it may seem like there are fewer things to do right now with COVID-19 restricting so many activities, there are many things you can do at home. Chores are a great way of keeping your mind off of things. Not only that, but you will feel like you have accomplished something after making your surroundings cleaner. Movies and television shows are another great way of keeping your mind off of COVID-19. If you are eager to learn, there are many services that offer free online courses for a variety of subjects. 

Practice Self-Care 

Our mental health can easily influence us into caring less for ourselves. Self-care is one of the most important coping mechanisms to follow. Sometimes, feeling better starts with something as simple as taking a shower. Self-care is different for everyone. Some may practice self-care by listening to their favorite music, while others might pamper themselves with a face mask. Try to avoid wearing pajamas if you are quarantined at home. Dressing up in everyday attire can help your mindset immensely. Schedule a video call with some friends and arrange a group self-care night. Any of these practices can help you feel better about COVID-19. 

Ask For Help 

If your mental health gets to the point where things seem hopeless, it may be time to reach out for help. Whether it is a family member, friend, family doctor, or therapist, reaching out to someone who can help you decide how to help yourself is always a great idea. A doctor or therapist may have additional coping mechanisms for you to practice. It may seem intimidating to ask for help, but the end result will involve you feeling much better. If a friend or family member expresses concern for you, you may be inclined to disagree. However, if you notice that you are struggling with the state of the world, agreeing with them could open up a conversation that would help you feel better. 

COVID-19 Tests With BASS Advanced Urgent Care 

If you are in the Bay Area and are concerned that you may have COVID-19, BASS Urgent Care offers drive-through COVID-19 testing in Walnut Creek. You will receive your results in 48-72 hours. To schedule a telehealth video visit with us, visit our website or call us at (925) 329-3718.