Covid-19 and Anxiety

Covid-19 has changed the way we live our lives, for some it is an inconvenience, for others it has cost them everything, including their lives, most of us have been impacted in some kind of way. Anxiety inducing factors are everywhere and for some people staying at home really is the best place for them. But how are we going to cope now that measures are being relaxed?

I have suffered with anxiety in my life. I went through a time where 2 or 3 panic attacks in one day were common, but over the last few years that has all changed. I get nervous about things and maybe a little anxious but a panic attack is no longer an everyday occurance. And then I went shopping…

I had no idea that I was behaving in such a way that was worrying my daughter until she said, “I can’t let you come out if you are going to be like this, I cannot see you this stressed and nervous”. I thought I was fine! But then I looked at my behaviour and she is right, I was acting differently and not in a good way. I seem to be on high alert whenever I am near anyone and I am worried they aren’t keeping distance. I was getting annoyed by a man in a shop who was loud and touching everything, I was becoming increasingly agitated by children running around and parents letting them. It was as though the last few months hadn’t just happened. I needed to get home.

So why am I feeling this anxiety, what is it about this pandemic that is worrying me? Well for a start the word pandemic is not a happy word for me. People are dying, people are becoming very ill and having lasting consequences that could impact on the rest of their life. I am not in an “at risk category”, however, I am asthmatic and every winter, without fail, I get ill. This January I had pleurisy from getting a cold. That was not fun. So although I am fairly healthy and my asthma is under control, I am worried about what may happen if there is a second wave in the UK, particularly as we come into the colder months. Am I worrying unnecessarily? Possibly, but there is a real risk of a second spike in cases. This virus is highly contagious and is passed through close contact. Now if people want to act as though everything is back to normal then so be it but not around me thank you. Shops have one way systems for a reason, there are screens up for a reason, there is hand sanitiser everywhere, staff in masks, gloves. There is a nasty virus out there and just because the pub is open doesn’t mean it has gone.

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe and that will help with how you are controlling the virus. Make sure you follow health guidelines if you have symptoms. All you can do is look after those around you and keep away from others who don’t seem to believe there is a deadly virus about.

Here are a few tips for helping keep your anxiety in check:

• Keep in touch with your friends, support each other as you will not be the only one feeling like this.
• Limit the amount of news you watch and read.
• Be kind to yourself, have a pamper day/evening.
• Remember it’s ok if you don’t feel ok all the time, don’t beat yourself up.
• Go for a walk in the sunshine, get fresh air and see all the beauty around you.

Let me know if you have any tips for keeping your covid anxiety under control.

Victoria x