People who are facing health anxiety are very concerned about getting sick or already being sick. In particular, they are often concerned about the physical symptoms they are having and what they might mean. Fear is a natural response to a threat or something we think is a threat, so it’s not surprising that the coronavirus outbreak has exacerbated some people’s health anxiety. It has also caused problems for other people who have never had it before.
If you have health anxiety, you may be having a lot of negative or scary thoughts right now, for example, “Everyone I care about is getting sick.” the disease, and the latest statistics. Anxiety can also have physical effects, such as palpitations or nausea.
Here are 5 recommendations prepare through Shazna Khanom, CBT therapist and UK Clinical Director with IESO, that will help you manipulate your fitness tension symptoms.
1. Notice activity how you’re feeling. There’s no right or wrong way to feel at the moment. The simple act of naming the emotions and feelings you’re experiencing is a really effective first step to reducing their intensity.
2. Avoid health-associated information. This would possibly seem ‘less difficult stated than done! But continuously looking at information websites and social media, looking to absorb each little bit of data you may approximately the coronavirus, might be an unhelpful behavior, and is probable to gasoline your tension instead of reassuring you. Limit the variety of instances you examine the information to possibly as soon as a day, and make certain you’re most effective checking information from relied on web websites and sources.
3. Stop Googling your symptoms. If you’ve got fitness anxiety, Google isn’t your friend! Stressful thoughts will experiment for worst-case scenarios, so you’re probable simplest taking overboard all of the horrifying stuff that’s out there. With this approach, you’re now no longer getting a balanced attitude on things.
4. Manage unhelpful thoughts. A not unusual place notion we’re presently seeing amongst humans with fitness tension is ‘anybody I love will die from the coronavirus’. Thoughts like those may be truly worrying and distressing, however, there’s a truly appropriate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) method that could help.
5. Maintain every day as ordinary as you can. Make certain you fall asleep and awaken at an ordinary time – and do get from your pajamas! Have something to sit up for withinside the day; discover a manner to deal with yourself. Contact pals and family. Social distancing doesn’t suggest emotional distancing – we’re social creatures, so locate innovative methods to hold in touch.
If thoughts, worries, and feelings about health dominate your everyday life, it may be time to seek support. For further advice and to check if online CBT is available from your local NHS.
