A world pandemic health crisis can promote 5 common reactions:
1. PANIC, ANXIETY, and WORRY as seen in our local grocery stores, where after a recent 2 week mandatory quarantine was ordered for U.S. residents, shelves were left empty of stocked staple products such as paper goods, sanitized wipes, and oral thermometers.
2. HOPELESSNESS seeming to permeate Sun City’s seniors’ faces as we each wonder what the future will bring to us from the coronavirus.
3. ANGER and BITTERNESS found on cable and other television newscasts explaining delays in certain medical equipment used for quick diagnosis of the pathogen.
4. UNHEALTHY RASH DECISIONS among certain groups of people continuing to engage in large social gatherings, in spite of medical warnings to the contrary.
5. HELPLESSNESS as we all wait to see if that “bell shaped curve” can be flattened in the upcoming days showing a curtailed growth of COVID-19 cases.
Everyone, however, reacts differently to a STRESSFUL situation. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) include the following groups of people with higher stress levels at this time:
a. Older folks and individuals who are at higher risk with chronic diseases
b. Children and teens
c. Doctors, health care providers, or first responders who are upfront in aiding with the response to the coronavirus
d. People who have mental health issues who should be aware of changes in symptoms and their need to continue regular treatment (don’t hesitate to call 911, if necessary here).
The stress factor can include changes in sleep and eating, and fear and worrying about your own health and those of your loved ones. People with mental health issues should be aware of changes such as Worsening of chronic health issues, difficulty in concentrating and sleeping, and increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs are behaviors found during an infectious disease outbreak.
The U.S. organization recommends taking breaks from television, reading, and social media that are talking about the pandemic repeatedly. The Centers for Disease Control strongly advise taking care of one’s body through a proper balanced diet, exercising regularly (if possible, daily), getting proper sleep, stretching and taking deep breaths or meditating, and avoidance of substance abuse. Try to do other activities, such as card playing, that you might enjoy. Don’t be afraid to talk to trusted individuals via phone, using Skype or Facetime for video chats, by email, or through making a professional counseling appointment about your stress concerns. The CDC says “Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.”
When you share correct information about COVID-19, you can help individuals close to you feel less anxiety, as you are also allowing yourself to connect with them. We all need to have faith and hope with high expectations for future survival. As wartime past world leaders and our present American president have stated in similar words: “We will prevail together.”
