Here's how to deal with Covid-anxiety; know it from the doctor
By Ankita Mukherjee | First Published May 28, 2021, 5:32 PM ISTThe second wave of Coronavirus has hit us even worse, and it is becoming really difficult to keep our anxiety at bay. Here's what to do to keep our negative thoughts afar.
When Covid-19 broke out last year worldwide, we knew nothing about the virus, and many people died battling the disease. With time in few places like India, the situation has become worse. People suffer from anxiety and stress, if not Covid. Asianet reached out to Dr Satish Kumar, Consultant - Clinical Psychologist, Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport, Bangalore, who suggested how to deal with Covid-anxiety.
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Dr Satish Kumar said, "Anxiety in covid 19 is very high, termed as covid anxiety or pandemic anxiety, which involves death anxiety that a person might die and insecurities about finance, family members health, fearful apprehension, job insecurities and children's education, etc."
To cope with the situation, you can follow a few ways as suggested by the doctor. Dr Satish said, "Avoid watching/reading news about covid. People keep thinking about it, talking about it and reading about it. Focus on many things in life other than covid is very important. Perceived stress can be a few times more than real stress when we develop too many insecurities."
"Giving hope and keeping children optimistic is important. Also, keeping children informed about the situation, giving them facts without exaggeration is good," he further mentioned.
Dr Satish even advised patients with depression and anxiety during and post-covid. He said to focus on controllable aspects of life. Acceptance is the key, so focus on those things that are in our control and build our health.
Dr Satish says, "Pandemic has changed the normal course of life. Uncertainty is all around us in every domain of life, such as health, education, finance etc. We are always comfortable when we predict our near future, but the covid anxiety has taken that privilege and given us uncertainty."
As per the doctor, we should do wishful thinking. He said, "For example, I wish covid should not have happened can make us feel better momentarily, but it is not a healthy habit in the longer run. Accepting will helps us worry less and focus more on our commitments in building the future. You can socialize by connecting with people through video or audio calls, and it will help in cutting down loneliness."
He further added, "We can take up activities that we always wanted to have tried for many years because now we have time in hand. So, read a book, learn a new language etc."
If we are staying home in isolation for having mild symptoms, we shouldn't worry about that. Instead, we should indulge in doing what makes us happy put up with good thoughts as suggested by the doctor.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
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