As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread,
many people across the world are experiencing a sense of anxiety, restlessness,
and worry. These feelings, coupled with 24/7 news coverage of the spread of the
disease, can lead to panic. Panic on a large scale can be devastating and make
us act irrationally. For example, there are videos from across the United
States of people fighting over toilet paper and bottled water. So how can we
overcome a sense of panic and focus on reality instead of giving in to fear?
Read on to find some tips and tricks to keep calm and focus on the good things
in life.
Take a Breath
When feelings of panic threaten to overwhelm
you, pause. As difficult as it may seem to calm your racing mind, physically
stop what you are doing. Take a deep breath in through your nose, then blow it
out for 10 seconds. Focus on your breath, Do this for at least one minute, or
however long it takes to calm your mind and reduce your heart rate. Breathing
exercises such as this can help calm your panic by making you slow down and
relax. Nobody can accomplish anything in a state of panic. This is the first
step to overcoming your rising sense of panic.
Count Your Blessings and Pray
Another trick to quell your panicky feelings is
to focus on what you are grateful for, and what blessings you have in your
life. Do you have a great spouse, loving children, a cozy home, food in your
fridge, or a furry companion? Take stock of the blessings in your life, and
reframe your thinking around the situation that is causing you to feel panic.
Write down what you are thankful for. Keep pictures of your loved ones close
by. Spend time with your pets and the people who you love. Have someone you can
call when you are feeling especially panicky. Focusing on what’s good in your
life, rather than on the things making you feel panic, will do your mindset a
world of good. After counting your blessings be sure to express your
appreciation and thanks to our Heavenly Father for his faithfulness and mercy
towards you.
Unplug
We live in a 24/7 news cycle. There are terrible
things streaming on our TVs every second of every day. Talking heads are
constantly adding to the fearmongering so that news channels have enough
material to keep their ratings up. On top of this, most of us are on Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, or other social media that pumps bad news at us with every
click. Do your mental health a favor and unplug. Stop looking at the latest
scary article your cousin just put up on Facebook, and stop listening to the
experts on the news rattling off grim statistics. Go for a walk, read a book,
play a board game. Do whatever you need to do to unplug and stop focusing on
the negative digital news.
Be Patient
Whatever is going on in your life, or in the
world, that is making you feel panic, will not last forever. Bad personal
situations can be changed. Pandemics will eventually fade and life will return
to normal. Know that nothing lasts forever, and with a little patience and
faith, life will not always be so hard.
By slowing down to take a breath, focusing on
the good in your life and being thankful, giving yourself a chance to unplug, and
having patience, you can overcome feelings of panic about whatever your current
situation is!
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