Anxiety & COVID

Hi everyone, Elsa here. Right now, we’re all feeling overwhelmed, so I wanted to share the ways I am coping with my anxiety while being home, with so many unknowns. I am mildly open about the fact I have GAD, or what is better known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with post-traumatic stress (please note this is different than PTSD). These stressors come from a period of time where I experienced complicated miscarriages and we found a tumor on my husband’s pancreas. I was officially diagnosed with GAD two years ago, but I have struggled with anxiety most of my life, and like many, thought I could manage it on my own (it is okay if you can’t). When we were in the depths of our health issues, I had some dark days where it felt like the world rested on my shoulders, everything was beyond my control, and the only thing I could rely on was prayer and the support of my friends and family. Thanks to God and some incredible doctors, we are both very healthy now. 

Hospital and health settings, even discussions, are challenging for me, so when I turn on the news and naturally it is what is being covered (hello, global pandemic), I have to take extra measures to take care of my mind and heart. I am sure a lot of you are feeling nervous and anxious also, and you’re not alone. So, I wanted to share the coping mechanisms I do at home that help me stay calm and centered. I want to underscore I am not an expert, or in any position to offer health advice of any kind, but I thought I would share the things I do that have been helping me cope with my anxiety while having limited access to the outside world. If you have any tips of your own, please share them! 

1. Prayer: I have been sharing more of this aspect of my life lately, but prayer is something incredibly important to me. It is humbling and healing. Whether you are spiritual, religious, or none of the above, passing it all up to a higher power is very meaningful, grounding and feels as though a weight is being lifted.
   
2. Water: I have been limiting my caffeine intake, which has been challenging because the days are beginning to move slower, my energy is depleting and the caffeine cravings are increasing. But, caffeine can increase anxiety, and I have been increasing my water intake to stay hydrated which has calming properties. 
   
3. Stretching: Y’all know getting myself to exercise is a HURDLE lol. This summer I trained and ran a 5k to prove to myself I could do it. That being said, jogging is the one exercise that I genuinely have connected with. Not having the option to be able to jog in our gym or outside has been hard, but stretching has been a great alternative for me. With the amount of sitting on the sofa, my desk chair, and the bed, it’s been beneficial for releasing any tension or tightness.
   
4. Reading: No surprise here, but reading is an incredible escape. The power of a story is remarkable, you can truly take a break from the world and get lost in something completely unrelated to your own life. You can also use this time to broaden your mindset and read books you might not try, or various self-help books to keep you on track.
   
5. Holding myself accountable: This has been huge. Holding myself accountable to my real life job, from the hour I wake up in the morning, to getting dressed and cleaning the house, among other things, have upheld a sense of normalcy during a period of chaos for me. 
   
6. Tapping and Breathing Exercises: Again, given I am not an expert, this is not a tip, but more of an encouragement to ask your health professionals about these exercises. I do tapping and breathing exercises my doctor taught me for when I experience acute anxiety, and it helps tremendously!
   
7. Following CDC and local government guidelines, and limiting watching the news: It sounds simple and intuitive, but doing your best to follow the rules will allow you to understand you’re doing all you can. Limit watching the news to a threshold that feels comfortable for you, so you can stay informed in order to remain safe and keep others safe, while not overwhelming yourself.