Just looking at today’s headlines on the internet: Coronavirus Live Updates: Xi Urges Tougher Response to the Crisis, China admits “shortcomings” as global efforts to stop deadly coronavirus ramp up, Coronavirus has caused an ‘oil demand shock’ to prices: Goldman Sachs, and Johns Hopkins’ doctor says new coronavirus is here to stay.

Americans leaving Wuhan, China are being flown to military bases in the US. Those people will be held in quarantine for 14 days. Doom and gloom are being spread more rampantly than the virus. It is important that we take precautions and heed the warnings, but we don’t need to let the anxiety and fear it is generating get out of control.

I just received an email from the American Psychological Association (APA) regarding the coronavirus, and keeping things in perspective. APA provided the following tips to help you with any extra anxiety you may be feeling with this news.

Keep this news of coronavirus in perspective

There have not been many confirmed cases in the US. Think of the flu and other diseases that impact people on a daily basis. The chance of you or your loved ones contracting this virus is extremely low. Remember, news sources are a business; they write or televise what will sell. Nothing sells like the latest catastrophe or something that causes fear. People want to know minute by minute what is going on. Doing so will only increase your anxiety.

Obtain the facts

Be sure you are listening or reading credible news sources. Reading about the fears or anxiety from others will not help you develop a fact base. They just increase your fear. According to the APA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a webpage with factual information on the coronavirus. There is also the World Health Organization. You can find the information you need there. Look at the health agencies in your area, or your family doctor.

Talk to your children

My guess is that kids are talking about the coronavirus, they have read something online or they have overheard others talking about it. Provide them information that is appropriate for their age. You don’t want to scare them. Keep engaging in your normal routine with your kids. If you are glued to the TV and stressing about it, you will stress out your children. Remember, they will look to you on how to react to these types of situations. You are their role model. The best thing you can do is to keep calm and things in perspective.

Connect with others

This will help you keep a normal routine. It also provides a way to reduce stress and a place to vent your feelings and concerns. You can also ease the anxiety of your friends by sharing information from the CDC and other reliable sources. Remember, the things you do and the way you react will determine if your own stress level increases or decreases.

Safety tips

According to the World Health Organization, there are several things you can do to decrease your chances of contracting the coronavirus. These are just basic things we would do to prevent infection in general. That is to wash your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitizer. Be sure to cover you mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze with a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your flexed elbow so you don’t spread anything to others. You don’t want to get too close to someone who is already sick. Any meat or eggs you eat should be cooked properly. These are all things we should be doing anyways. The only additional recommendation with this virus is to avoid unprotected contact with live animals.

Get outside help

If you are unable to stay away from the news, or it is making you more anxious or depressed than usual, you might want to see a therapist. If it is affecting your ability to go to work or interact with others, therapy can be helpful. I can teach you ways to decrease your stress and give you the tools you need to move forward in these types of situations. Remember, this is not the first time that there has been news about some type of virus that instills fear in people and it won’t be the last. The latest ones I can remember are SARS and Ebola. My guess is that these did not harm your or your family. The likelihood of coronavirus affecting you or your loved ones is slim to none.

Please give me a call at 713-304-6554 if I can help you deal with stress or health anxiety.

Take care,

Debbie