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Staying Sane Amid the Coronavirus Crisis
Psychologists’ say anxiety is normal, to a point, and offer suggestions for battling the strain of isolation and uncertainty
Social distancing and self-isolation amid uncertain situations can put tremendous strain on anyone’s sanity. Psychologists say it’s important to recognize that anxiety in times like these is normal. But in excess, it can be bad for you and for others.
“Too much anxiety creates emotion contagion and spreads panic,” says UC San Francisco psychologist Elissa Epel, PhD. “That’s not helpful.”
So how to mentally cope with coronavirus? One key, among many suggestions below, is to avoid overexposure to the news.
“It’s tempting to check for updates, but checking several times a day can keep us in an escalated state of anxiety,” Epel says. “We then easily transmit that type of exaggerated anxiety to our children and those around us.” Particularly unhelpful, she said, are “catastrophic thoughts and predictions” found in social media.
Spinning the positives
While recognizing that people in big cities and areas of the worst outbreaks might have limited options for dealing with the crisis, some people are finding opportunities.
