Divide & Conquer Your Anxiety

Spring 2020

The media constantly informs us that the Coronavirus is highly contagious.

Yet, stress is equally as contagious. A recent study from the University of Hawaii claimed stress can be as contagious as the common cold and you can actually ‘catch’ anxiety from another person.

In these difficult times, we need to be paying attention to our physical health and our mental health.

Research from California shows that the best way to deal with stress is to share your feelings with someone who is in the same situation. When a person shares with another that they feel threatened or scared or uncertain — it creates a buffer from the fear and reduces the perceived threat.

It is absolutely true:
A problem shared is a problem halved.

The answer during the Coronavirus outbreak is to create new normal routines that keep you connected to others while keeping you safe.

• Create more intimate gatherings or walks 1:1 out in the fresh air.
• Talk to your children and be truthful yet provide age-appropriate information. Let them know they are safe and you will be there for them.
• Avoid speculation with others and instead focus on the positives.
• Choose family-friendly movies/Netflix and enjoy family time.
• Connect with old friends via the phone or Skype.
• Allow your children to bring their concerns up. It’s normal that children are repetitive about their fears until they feel calm.
• Renew enjoyable family activities such as puzzles and games.
• Validate the fears of those around you: “Of course you’re concerned. That’s normal.”
• Employ coping skills that nurture your spirit, such as mindfulness exercises, meditation or listening to a podcast from your favorite pastor.
• Put together a gratitude list and share it with someone close to you.
• Don’t forget grandma/grandpa or the elderly — more frequent phone calls, cards and letters will soothe your spirit and theirs.
• Get in a conversation with God – share your worries, concerns as well as those things for which you are grateful. Read scripture. Pray.

Sorrow looks back.
Worry looks around.
Faith looks up.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson