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Managing stress and anxiety and maintaining mental well-being during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak can be challenging. William James Faculty offer suggestions.

As concerns about the coronavirus grow, so do concerns about the mental health impacts of this epidemic. We asked 91香蕉视频成人在线 faculty members for their thoughts on the psychological impacts of the outbreak. Here are some things to keep in mind during these trying times.

Anxiety is normal and rooted in our biology.

鈥淎larm is an evolutionary and psychological tool to drive us to take action,鈥� said to Dr. Paul Block, associate professor of Clinical Psychology.

Despite similarities between COVID-19 and illnesses like influenza or other respiratory diseases, COVID-19 has caused a great deal of fear and uncertainty in communities around the world. A big reason for this elevated fear response, Block said, is that this threat is new.

鈥淲e react to new threats more than the longer-term ones that we've found ways to adjust to,鈥� Block said, even though threats from more prevalent things like traffic accidents, firearms, or untreated mental health problems are statistically more likely to impact someone.

This can influence positive behaviors in the short term. For example, following CDC guidelines people have been more diligent about handwashing or avoiding touching their faces鈥攂ut the effects don鈥檛 tend to last, even if the action is something we should be doing anyway, like washing hands to prevent the spread of infection. 鈥淲e often stop [the behavior] when we don't feel acute threat, even though it's even more important as a regular thing,鈥� he said.

So, practice recommended wellness and personal care habits now, and make them routine.

鈥淲e should always be taking care of our basic health and resistance, but these kinds of threats refocus us as if it were temporarily important,鈥� Block said. 鈥淥nce the threat passes, our added focus and efforts fall away, and so does our motivation鈥�then we're vulnerable to the long-term threats and are less prepared for the next acute ones.鈥�

Physical and mental health are closely connected. Following from the (CDC) or other reliable sources helps a person take care of their physical health and it has mental health impacts, too, including reducing anxiety and increasing confidence.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important that people have as much sense of psychological mastery鈥攆eeling like you are doing what you can to stay safe and keep your loved ones safe鈥攁s possible,鈥� said Dr. Jodie Kliman, Clinical Psychology faculty member. 鈥淒oing so reduces anxiety, for yourself, for your children, and for your clients. Mindfully following the basic rules of hygiene and reminding children to do so鈥�are important for mental health as well as for physical health.鈥�

In addition to observing recommendations like handwashing and not touching your face, Kliman and Block both noted other habits like drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and exercising as important health habits to boost physical and mental wellbeing. Friends and family can offer much-needed support during times of hardship or worry and the COVID19 outbreak is no different.

Kliman added, 鈥渋t鈥檚 really important not to isolate yourself to the point that you aren鈥檛 getting the human contact that we all need for emotional wellbeing. Stay home with just your household members, but stay in close touch by phone, email, virtual contact, and social media -- just remember also to turn off the screen for chunks of the day for your mental health."

From NPR: 鈥溾��

Stay connected but be aware of informational overload.

It鈥檚 important to stay in touch with friends and family, and to stay informed, but choose your news sources carefully and consume in moderation. The constant discussion of COVID-19 on the news, on social media and in person can be difficult to navigate.

鈥淭here is mastery in staying well-informed, rather than either panicked or overly casual about this emergent medical crisis,鈥� Kliman said. The CDC notes sharing the facts about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressful, but also advises taking breaks from media.

鈥淲atching non-stop media information creates cognitive overload and can promote increased anxiety,鈥� said Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology Dr. Stan Berman. Berman suggested limiting exposure to the media and only seeking out information from highly-reliable places such as the CDC, (WHO), or the .

Dr. Carolyn Rabin, associate professor of Clinical Psychology and director of the 91香蕉视频成人在线 Clinical Health Psychology Concentration, agreed. Rabin explained that the spread of misinformation 鈥渃an really aggravate feelings of stress and anxiety.鈥� She added that it鈥檚 鈥渋mportant to try to focus on more reliable sources.鈥�

Berman also noted that it is important to pay extra attention to your children and others you feel responsibility toward. Being attentive and responsive to children鈥檚 worries can help alleviate their anxiety and keep everyone healthy. Berman recommends the for additional information and resources.

Take care of yourself, too.

Utilize stress-reduction strategies.

Anxiety can have a physical impact on the body, including fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping and other symptoms that can interrupt daily life. In order to help manage these symptoms, faculty members including Berman and Dr. Allyson Cherkasky, associate professor of Counseling, suggest engaging in methods to calm increased physiological arousal and reduce stress.

鈥淒eep breathing, yoga, relaxation, distraction and meditation can all help you become and maintain calmness,鈥� said Berman.

The CDC offers this list of recommendations for how to 鈥�.鈥�

If you need help, seek professional support.

During the COVID-19 outbreak or during any crisis or hardship, it is important to seek professional support if your anxiety becomes disruptive to daily activities or difficult to manage on your own.

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