Tips on how to reduce your anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic

Researches show that COVID-19 has contributed to the mental health challenge a lot of people are facing across the world. The impact of the pandemic has increased the anxiety level of so many. With people losing their jobs, businesses shutting down, people losing their loved ones to COVID-19 deaths, etc., a lot of people, including people living with breast cancer, breast cancer, and their families are experiencing increased levels of fear, stress, anxiety, and depression.

It is however important to know what to do to reduce your anxiety level. Here are a few helpful tips.

1. Call for the help of a certified mental health practitioner or see a doctor if your mental health is challenged. Brave people seek help.

2. Exercise regularly. In as much as this can be hard sometimes, it’s important to make regular exercise a lifestyle. It will help to reduce your anxiety level.

3. Practice deep breathing exercises and other forms of meditation. This brings you to a state of emotional awareness, mental focus, and body relaxation.

4. Reduce the volume of news you ingest. The increasing number of COVID-19 cases, deaths, etc., can contribute to increasing your anxiety level. So, if the first thing you do every morning and throughout the day is to pick up your phone and scroll through the news and COVID-19 statistics. You may want to slow down on that. Reduce the time you spend watching the news on television as well, especially that repetitive news. They have a way of registering in your subconscious mind. Be intentional about that.

5. Limit how much time you spend in public places and with people. It will not only reduce your risk of getting infected with COVID-19 but will also reduce that feeling of thinking you may have been exposed and may be infected when you touch something or someone comes too close to you. Feeling paranoid in itself increases anxiety levels. It is important that you stay at home and practice social distancing if you have to go out.

6. A lot of people are still struggling with working from home. New skillsets are been required to be more effective in working from home. And that in itself can increase anxiety, especially when you have deadlines and at the same time trying to figure out how to get the job done. So take it easy, you are not alone on this train. Do your best to get training on the skillsets you need to be more effective. Make sure you also have a comfortable and lovely workspace at home. A nice and organized working environment can help reduce your anxiety level. When you wake up, take a shower, dress up like you are going to work, and make sure you smell good.

We know these are tough and unprecedented times. Just know that you are not alone. We are all in this together and we will get through this. Stay strong and keep staying safe.