Anxiety comes in many shapes and sizes. In our regular day-to-day living, we already experience feeling anxious sometimes. It is not the same for everyone, but one thing’s for sure: the coronavirus pandemic is a top-up on our already-existing issues.
It’s not easy having to remind ourselves to wash our hands frequently and stay away from people. Not to mention having to get used to that uncomfortable feeling of wearing face masks in public. There are a lot of new things that we should start considering our normal, and this shift may heighten our anxiety. Here are a few tips that can help in dealing with them:
1. Recognize that what you’re feeling is anxiety.
Contrary to some beliefs, ignoring the problem won’t make the problem go away. Addressing the situation allows you to have control over it. You can start by writing down all your worries and concerns for you to have a clearer picture. Once you finally understand where your anxiety is stemming from, you can identify how you can solve your problems and handle things that you can’t change.
2. Relief only comes when you know how to handle the threat.
The threat may still be there—but knowing when or how the threat attacks help us handle the attacks better. Being productive and maintaining friendships may seem like a taxing job at first, but it may give you a sense of control. It may make you realize that you only need a distraction from your pool of emotions. However, be cautious enough to recognize if something is really harming your mental health. Distractions are good, but they are not always the solution.
3. It will not always be okay.
Recognize that all people have tough days and experience bad events. Even the successful people experience unfortunate events.
4. Be present.
Anxiety will not exist if you shift your awareness to present, the moment of NOW. Many of us either live in the future, always anticipate what to be or will happen next or living in the past repeating the story may no longer serve us well towards what you want to achieve in life. We tend to think what we desire is in the future tense and comes with conditions e.g. until you achieve something, then you will be happy. Or in times when there’s uncertainty or out of normality, you may associate the unknown about the future with fear or worry. Bring your awareness to NOW, you will find anxiety disappear almost instantly.
