{"id":12651,"date":"2021-03-02T13:45:52","date_gmt":"2021-03-02T18:45:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mentalhe180dev.wpenginepowered.com\/news\/four-simple-tips-to-help-you-manage-anxiety-related-to-covid-19\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T08:33:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:33:55","slug":"four-simple-tips-to-help-you-manage-anxiety-related-to-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.grafik.mentalhealthfirstaid.org\/es\/news\/four-simple-tips-to-help-you-manage-anxiety-related-to-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Simple Tips to Help You Manage Anxiety Related to COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a range of emotions, including anxiety, grief, uncertainty and sadness. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported<\/a> 40% of U.S. adults are struggling with their mental health, with 31% reporting symptoms of anxiety. Another study<\/a> found nearly one-third of teens surveyed reported feeling unhappy or depressed in recent months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you\u2019re experiencing any of these feelings, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n

Feeling stressed or anxious can manifest in different ways<\/a>, but it may look like difficulty sleeping or concentrating, fear about your health, feelings of worry or sadness, increased substance use or changes in appetite. This varies from person to person, so it is important to check in with yourself and pay attention to what may have changed over the last few months. This may be \u201cthe new normal,\u201d but if it is not something that affected you pre-pandemic, it might be worth taking a second look. <\/a><\/p>\n

Managing stress and anxiety is important now more than ever as we manage physical distancing, \u201cdoomscrolling<\/a>\u201d and staying healthy. It can be hard to make your mental health a priority right now, but it is essential to take care of yourself. \u00a0If you\u2019re feeling more anxious than usual these days, follow these tips from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA):<\/p>\n

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  1. Talk to someone you trust. <\/strong>Your support network is not there just for you in good times \u2013 your loved ones are there to lean on when you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, sad or angry. If you\u2019re not comfortable speaking to a friend or family member, or if it\u2019s not possible, a mental health professional is also a great option. Whoever you talk to, it is important to be open and honest so you can receive the support you need.<\/li>\n
  2. Create a self-care plan. <\/strong>A self-care plan<\/a> is a long-term investment that should include things you enjoy doing. Many find journaling is a great outlet, but if writing isn\u2019t your thing, try listening to music to boost your mood. If the weather doesn\u2019t allow for outdoor exercise, have a dance party in your living room! Think about things that will boost your <\/em>mood and go from there.<\/li>\n
  3. Keep a routine. <\/strong>Our sense of normalcy has been disrupted by the pandemic, so a routine<\/a> you can stick to will help you regain a sense of control if you\u2019re feeling anxious. But stay flexible; If something stops working or if makes you feel worse, switch it up. Don\u2019t let your new routine become a rut.<\/li>\n
  4. Find new safe activities.<\/strong> This is the perfect time to try something new<\/a>. Something that you may not be good at, but want to improve on (hello, Sudoku) or do something around the house that you\u2019ve been meaning to do but didn\u2019t have time. There are also plenty of things you can still do outdoors with safe social distancing, such as a walk or outdoor workout!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Increased feelings of anxiety and stress aren\u2019t uncommon right now, so remember that if you\u2019re feeling \u201coff,\u201d you\u2019re not the only one. Getting the support you need should be a top priority. There are resources<\/a> available to you if you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed. Speak to your primary care physician or a mental health professional to discuss coping strategies or reach out to community organizations that may be able to help.<\/p>\n

    You deserve to feel supported and using these tips can help you #BeTheDifference for yourself.<\/p>\n

    If you or someone you care about feel overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others, call 911.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration\u2019s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) or text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Resource Guide:<\/em><\/p>\n