The pandemic of Coronavirus has gripped the entire world in fear, panic and anxiety. Almost all the countries of the world are going into lockdown and people are advised to stay inside their homes. But some of us are still not taking the pandemic seriously and the other half are way too worried about the situation. We must agree to the fact that this is a pandemic situation, and one has to take the measures to stay safe, but this doesn’t mean that one needs to get anxious and afraid.

Fear of the COVID-19 can take you on an emotional troll, but this is not the right time to take stress and burden the mind further. So here are some bits of advice that can help you keep calm and away from all the unnecessary stress and anxieties.

But First, Focus On The Essential Things You Can Control

Let’s be honest, the COVID-19 is spreading rapidly all over the world and these are times when our individual efforts can make a huge difference. In order to stay safe and keep others safe from the clutches of this virus, there are a few important things that we all must adhere to:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Stay inside your house.
• Keep at least 3 feet distancefrom other people.
• Stay home, isolate yourself if you show some symptoms.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing or coughing, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid attending gatherings and parties.
• Disinfect and clean the frequently touched surfaces with hand sanitizers daily.

Take Good Care Of Your Spirit And Body

This is an extraordinarily high time, where all the true and tried stress control approaches apply such as getting loads of sleep, eating healthy food, meditating and sweating out daily. Here are some of the tips to shun away the anxieties by fostering calmness within.

• Maintain A Healthy Routine:
  Even if you feel trapped in your home, try to hold on to your daily routine of sleeping, eating, and working from home on time. Doing this will help you feel less fatigued, and you will start to maintain a feeling of normalcy.

• Give Time To Your Favorite Hobbies:
  Listen to music, learn to play the guitar, read a book, watch your favorite movies, or do something creative – whether a piece of art, a craft, or new recipe. It doesn’t matter what you embrace unless it takesall your fears and worries out.

• Be Generous To Yourself:
  Try to go soft on yourself in case you are experiencing anxiety and depression. And it is okay to be anxious because you are not alone in this situation.  Everyone is passing through uncertainty and fear regarding their safety and the safety of their loved ones. You might be going through a lot lately, have trouble sleeping, but keep this thing in mind that we are all together in this.

• Continue Your Practice:
  Staying fresh and active will help control your mood, relieve stress, and release anxiety. While the yoga studio and schools are shut, you can still workout at home. There are plenty of yoga videos available online and you can even take part in online classes. Majority of the schools are now turning to online classes to allow their students to continue their practice. If you are already a professional, you can continue your yoga practice at home and even involve your family in the practice.

• Pursue Your Hobbies:
  Now that you’re stuck at home, this is a wonderful opportunity to once again pursue your hobbies. Be it reading, writing, playing an instrument or creating something interesting, this is your chance to get engaged and enjoy your time. Also, keeping yourself engaged in activities will keep your mind distracted and free from stress.

• Practice Mindful Techniques:
  When all the worries and stresses drive your nervous system out of balance, mindfulness techniques like meditation and pranayama can help bring back the calmness and tranquilityto your mind and body. Daily practice can deliver a lot of benefits, so make sure you take some time out every day.

• Get Some Fresh Air And Sunshine:
  Fresh air and sunshine are the two most important things which are required to stay healthy and fit. Even if you have been advised to lock yourself down inside your home, ensure that you spend some time in sunlight and breathe in the fresh air. You can sit in your balcony or take some strolls in your terrace. But always keep yourself distanced from other people.

Keep In Touch With Your Family And Friends And Look After Them As Well

Keep in touch with your family and friends as it might benefit you to relieve the anxiety and stress caused by the outbreak of Coronavirus. Sharing your feelings and concerns may help you find techniques to deal with daily challenges. Also receiving the same love and support from others might bring back a feeling of stability and comfort. Helping each other in times of necessity can benefit all equally.

Stay Informed But Don’t Spread Rumors

At this time, it is very vital to stay acquainted, but stay away from rumors and wrong messages. You can follow some deliberate safety measures and do your bit in slowing the spread of COVID-19. But there are a lot of half-truths going around the world that only feeds into a panic. So, it is always important to be prudent about what you watch and read.

• Constantly watching social media and news channels can immediately turn counterproductive and compulsive, resulting in feeding stress and anxiety than helping it. So limit your watch time accordingly.
• Always stick to authentic and trustworthy sources.
• Also, be careful of what you are sharing to others as we all require to do our bit by spreading the genuine news and avoiding unnecessary rumors.
• If you are thinking of avoiding the media completely then ask someone you have faith in to pass on the ongoing updates and news.

Remember, we are all in this together. The situation may worsen further or it can improve. But as of now we need to fight this COVID-19 with solidarity and lend our support to the government initiatives. These are tough times for all of us and without each other’s support, we will not be able to win over the situation.

So stay safe, adhere to all that the government asks from and you and focus on the positives. We will surely turn out victorious in this war.