How to Cope with Coronavirus Stress

Conversation Column - Mental Health & You
How to Cope with Coronavirus Stress
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In this Conversation Column, we look at these various mental health strategies for coping with prolonged stress during COVID-19 pandemic.
 
We have all been going through many adjustments and dramatic changes in our schedules, work, and home life. These stressors, even when we think we are adapting well, can have an impact on our mental health.
 
With the pandemic and other recent events we have all been forced to adjust to what has been called the new normal. But we think for most of us it doesn't feel normal. Some of the changes have been relatively minor adjustments to our schedules and daily routines, like a dearth of social events and outings and sports. For many, however, the changes have been much more drastic disruptions to our public and private lives, including, being required to work and/or stay at home, losing jobs or even struggling to put food on the table. 
 
Research suggests that all these changes (big and small), all these stressors, can significantly impact our mental and physical health, even when we think we are adapting well.
 
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Wishing you a safe and healthy Holiday weekend!
Diana and Jan

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4 Mental Health Strategies for
Coping with COVID-19 Stress

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Our Featured Doctor

Shainna Ali Ph.D., LMHC

Shainna Ali is a mental health clinician, supervisor, educator, and advocate.
Dr. Ali is passionate about de-stigmatizing mental health counseling and helping individuals worldwide recognize the importance of fostering mental wellness. Dr. Ali is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida, a nationally-certified clinician, and an approved clinical supervisor. She is the owner and operator of Integrated Counseling Solutions, LLC, a strengths-based clinical mental health and consulting practice located in Downtown Orlando.

About Dr. Ali

Have you been noticing a spike in your stress as a result of COVID-19? If so, you certainly aren’t alone.
 
Pandemics are not declared lightly, and an increase in your stress is actually a normal response.
However, not only is stress unpleasant, it can also hinder your immunity. The World Health Organization emphasizes that preventative care plays a crucial role in fighting the Coronavirus, therefore, it’s helpful to boost your coping in an effort to improve your overall well-being. Here are four strategies to help you maintain your mental wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Coping Strategies
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RECOGNIZE YOUR STRESS
Stress is a normal part of life.
It is a natural response to an external pressure that disrupts your equilibrium. It often causes symptoms such as:


• Sadness, confusion, irritability, anger, uneasiness, and suicidal thoughts
• Reduced concentration, efficiency, and productivity
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Interpersonal problems (e.g., lies, defensiveness, communication concerns)
• Tension (e.g., headaches, jaw clenching, teeth grinding)
• Body pain (e.g., headaches, muscle spasms)
• Reduced energy (e.g., tiredness, weakness, fatigue)​
• Sleeping problems (e.g., insomnia, nightmares)

This notion may seem simple, but it’s often easier said than done.
 
It’s common to miss the signs of stress early on, preventing your ability to handle them before they grow. Even if you notice these symptoms, it’s also tempting to think that you can manage them by brushing them under the rug. The danger in this tactic is that it doesn’t allow you to tackle the problem head on, and the catalyst of time can cause you to miss the crucial moment to intervene before your stress becomes overwhelming. 

The first important step to managing these symptoms is to recognize that they are related to stress.
 
According to the Four Branch Model of Emotional Intelligence, the ability to recognize your emotional state is essential in order to understand and manage your emotions. Therefore, if you skip the phase of acknowledging that you are stressed, you impede your ability to manage your stress.

4 Coping Strategies

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Our Video Corner

Tori Olds, Ph.D.

Human Complexity:
Why We are Vulnerable to Suffering
 
The human brain is designed to process information in a complex manner that integrates multiple ways of working with the data it receives. When that integration happens well, and true complexity is achieved, we are capable of such amazing things...art and love and states of expansion.

The main thing that is going to make us feel safe is when we know we are loved and protected.

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5 Ways to Cope with Coronavirus Anxiety and Dealing with Coronavirus Fear

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Dr. Tracey Marks, M.D.
Tracey Marks, M.D., is an Atlanta psychiatrist and psychotherapist, specializing in the interplay between mind and body, and how it shapes our quality of life.
 
Dr. Tracey Marks shares 5 ways to cope with coronavirus anxiety and fear during this pandemic crisis. 

We're social people and it's hard to keep to ourselves and not want to be around people, it's also hard to spend hours mentally unstimulated. So what do you do?
You watch television, and if you keep the news on for hours at a time, it can really ramp up your anxiety to hear nonstop information on the rising death toll.

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Directory and Reviews for Online Therapy

Online Counseling Directory

The Online Counseling Directory is an international directory that provides a platform that connects people with therapists all over the world. The Online Counseling Directory also provides resources and guidance to therapists that wish to take their practice online with podcasts and documents that help you get started.
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Please stay safe and healthy!
Diana and Jan
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