We all thought we reached peak anxiety when things started to shut down after the coronavirus hit the country hard. And we longed for the day things began to reopen.
But now, as it turns out, the thought of reopening has many of us more nervous than the shutdowns.
Early on, we hoped that reopening the country meant that the infection would be gone. Instead, we now know it won’t be gone. And that it’s just a sign that things may be getting better and moving in the right direction.
It’s happening in slow, tentative phases in many places. And even when things DO open back up fully, many of us will still be left feeling anxious and wondering, “Is it REALLY safe to go out again yet?”
Well, my friend, I can’t tell you what’s safe and what’s not just yet. The truth is the answer varies from state to state and even from city to city or town to town.
But I CAN help you overcome this “second wave” of anxiety. Because there are natural ways to cut stress, ease the angst, and feel more like yourself even as the coronavirus pandemic enters this strange new phase.
Information overload sends stress levels soaring
Let’s face it, it’s not just the virus alone that has us all so worried. We’re battling information overload too.
The media’s doing its best to keep us tuned in by stressing us out. The constant rollcall of the current numbers, the endless reports of gloom and doom, and the relentless negativity are all taking a toll.
It’s no WONDER we’re all feeling overwhelmed.
Experts say that this “media overload” can lead to sky-high levels of stress, fear, and anxiety. And I’m betting you can confirm they’re right.
Worse yet, the very people who “overload” and suffer the greatest are the folks who tend to battle nerves in the first place.
Because they’re worried, they look for more information. But because the news is overwhelmingly negative, they worry more. So they seek more information… which leads to still MORE worry… and this “more-more-more” cycle never seems to end.
It’s enough to leave your worried sick.
In some cases, literally, since stress can cripple your immune system. And that leaves you more prone to infection and leads to other conditions such as sleep loss, nervous stomach, teeth grinding, and more.
3 simple steps to help slash the anxiety
But you CAN turn things around and ease those reopening worries.
First, cut the cycle by turning off the media.
Not entirely, of course. You need to stay informed. But you can do that by checking the news once or twice a day.
Second, do something else.
There are more constructive ways to use your time Switch off the TV and turn to things that take your mind off the news, like exercise, a new hobby, or even a crossword puzzle.
And third, try some proven de-stressing techniques.
For immediate relief of the “right now” anxiety, try some basic deep breathing exercises. One animal study found these simple techniques are the fastest way to achieve calm. And while we’re not mice, they work the same way in us. Try YouTube videos if you need some help getting started.
And for more ways to ease that anxiety, consider natural, proven, herbal solutions such as valerian root, chamomile tea, and ashwagandha.
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