It is normal to feel vulnerable and overwhelmed when reading news about the coronavirus outbreak. However, it is important to acknowledge these feelings and to look after our physical and mental health during such times.
Stay connected
- Reassure people you know and who may be worried
- Check in with people who you know are living alone
- Do not judge people and avoid jumping to conclusions about who is responsible for the spread of the disease.
- Keep in touch with your friends and family, by telephone, email or social media
- Avoid habits that may not be helpful in the long term such as smoking and overeating
Try to manage how you follow the outbreak in the media
- If you find that the news is causing you huge stress, it is important to limit your news consumption
- Avoid speculations and rumors and look up reputable sources of news
- If you are sharing content, share from trusted sources, and remember that your friends and family members might be worried too.
- Talk with your children and discuss the news with them but avoid over-exposure to coverage of the virus
References
https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/5-ways-to-cope-with-the-news
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-tips
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7444649/