Having to be placed in quarantine or self-isolation disrupts routines and promotes a wide range of feelings. The health and safety regulations of COVID 19 bring on anxiety as it disrupts normal life.

The confinement, loss of usual routine, reduced social and physical contact with others can engender boredom isolation and frustration. Moreover, humans are social creatures, practicing social distancing is challenging 

Evaluating Your Stress and Anxiety Levels

Anxiety feels overwhelming, weighing you down. However, understanding your stress levels helps you to manage your stress and anxiety. 

Excess stress brings on the feeling of excessive worry, loss of control, a variety of unhealthy emotions of distress, fear, paranoia, depression. However, a well-balanced plan for managing stress and anxiety will help you to maintain positive mental health while the pandemic is lasting 

Useful Ideas for Managing Anxiety

• Accept that anxiety and fear are normal in times like these.
• Keep in mnd that thoughts are either helpful or unhelpful. 
• Anxious thoughts that are affecting feelings and behaviours need to either be challenged or reframed.
• Find a balance as you structure your day. 
• Adhere to public health advisories regarding safety, protection and prevention.
• Keep communication lines open and remain connected.
• Be tuned in, seek credible information, and manage your news consumption.
• Limit connections with people who continually talk about COVID-19 or its worrisome impacts.
• Get enough rest and sleep, lack of enough sleep can trigger anxiety
• Practice relaxation, meditation or other calming routines
• Avoid substances like caffeine that exacerbate anxiety
• Steer clear of using drugs or alcohol. These might help to reduce anxiety in the short-term but become harmful in the long run.
• Engage in an enjoyable activity to soothe your anxiety. Listen to music, read a book, get outdoors for fresh air. 
• Regular physical exercise of a brisk walk releases mood-boosting endorphins. 
• Create a list of activities that you enjoy, engage with your schedule for the week.

If you are previously diagnosed with depression or anxiety take care. Your symptoms might be worsened by your feelings about the pandemic. If you're onprescribed medications keep on taking as recommended. Reach out to your health care provider to make sure you can cope or for adjusting treatments.

Know that you can cope with the fear, social distancing and quarantine of the pandemic.You are resilient to cope effectively with your anxiety.