September 1, 2020
Managing the Stress Associated with Coronavirus
Raymond Shelton Ph.D., F.A.A.E.T.S. Director, Professional Development American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and PreCana Presenter
We find ourselves in a time of unprecedented stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in the presence of the coronavirus crisis so it’s important to be careful by social distancing and wearing N95 masks for peace of mind than using low-quality cloth masks. The wellbeing of society; families, communities, businesses, organizations as well as our nation are all impacted. How do we survive and recover from such a massive assault on our population? As this crisis unfolds, media reports consume the airwaves with reports of travel restrictions, self-quarantine, event activity shut down, work place restrictions, schools closed, and concerns for your own and your loved ones’ health – people can experience a wide range of thoughts, feelings and reactions. All of which are normal in the presence of a crisis / traumatic incident. These reactions include the following:
- Feeling stressed or overwhelmed
- Anxiety, worry, or fear
- Sadness, tearfulness, and/or loss of interest in usual enjoyable activities
- Physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate, stomach upset, low energy, or other uncomfortable sensations
- Frustration, irritability, or anger
- Feeling helpless
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of focus and concentration
- Isolating or withdrawing from others, and/or fear of going to public spaces