“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”

The coronavirus has created a state of uncertainty, as we do not know what the impact is going to be, how long it is going to last and to what extent it is going to impact us and our families. This makes it easy to become scared and overwhelmed by stress. Not everyone is going to have this type of experience but it is a normal response. If you find yourself feeling stress, that is also a normal response. Our stress response is connected to a lot of different causes including, our age, our economic status, our previous experiences – trauma, loss, health risks, and state of mental health.

Understand that as individuals some of us won’t define our emotional state as one of stress, but we might be presenting in other ways. For example, one might find oneself eating more or eating less, drinking more alcohol than typical, experiencing restless sleep, having difficulty concentrating and feeling easily irritated or just angry. These are often physical ways in which we express stress. We might also find that our neck or back hurt more, we can’t get comfortable, we experience stomach aches, headaches or pain in our limbs, again these are all ways in which our body holds stress.

What is important is to make sure during these uncertain times that we take care of our physical and mental health. So how do we do that?

1) Breathe. So simple, often doesn’t feel easy. So, take a deep breath, because our breath regulates our stress response. In through your nose and out your mouth (smell the flowers, blow out the birthday candles). This helps us to be in the present moment. Anxiety is anticipatory. We are feeling anxious because of the uncertainty. We can control our breath, which helps us to be present and reduces those anxious feelings.

2) Contact your family and friends. We might not be able to be with them but we can still connect. Talk to them, make sure they are ok, laugh with them and know that we are all in this together. This will help you and will help them. Remember that play and fun are great ways to counter stress. Adults seem to forget that. If you are home with your kids, find time to enjoy it and the time you have together.

3) Move. Humans are recognized as the only mammals that do not shake after a stressful experience. ( Robert M. Sapolsky, Why Zebra’s Don’t Get Ulcers). So, do just that, shake out your arms and legs. Have a dance party. Move.

4) Take care of your body. That means take your prescribed medications, make sure you are drinking a lot of water and eating a healthy diet. Our food intake really does impact our mood. Watch for increased sugar and salt. I get it, I am a stress eater, but it is important that we are taking care of our physical health.

5) Go outside, get some fresh air. We might be social distancing, but that does not mean we have to be stuck inside. Nature's natural antidepressants are sunshine and fresh air. Take a walk around your block. Stand or sit on your front step. Breathe in the fresh air.

6) Lastly, remember that you are the expert on yourself. Take the measures you need to feel secure and safe, reach out to a professional if you are having difficulty coping.

When we acknowledge that this is happening to everyone and not just ourselves, taking simple steps can help us to understand and manage our stress response better, and have more peace of mind.