By Paul Gionfriddo: For More Info, Go Here…
The following is a statement from Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO, Mental Health America:
“As the number of cases of COVID-19 increase, so does the associated anxiety.
“For the general public, the mental health effects of COVID-19 are as important to address as are the physical health effects. And for the one in five who already have mental health conditions – or the one in two who are at risk of developing them – we need to take personal, professional, and policy measures now to address them.
“Individuals who are beginning to experience “forced” isolation should:
- Use your smart phone to stay connected to family and friends. Shift from texting to voice or video calling to feel more connected.
- Keep comfortable. Do the things you already enjoy doing at home; just do more of them.
- Practice stress relief whenever you feel anxiety building – do some deep breathing, exercise, read, dig in the garden, eat some ice cream – whatever works for you.
- Don’t do anything you’d consider to be unhealthy for you, such as excess drinking – that will just increase your anxiety afterwards.
- Keep looking forward. Make some plans for six months down the road.
