What do you do with all your #coronavirus-stoked fears?
A Wuhan evacuee offers some advice: read.medium.com/NeZYkPS
A Wuhan evacuee offers some advice: read.medium.com/NeZYkPS
.@sheisimanib lives in Wuhan, China with her husband and son, and they were on vacation when the city was put under quarantine. They haven't been allowed to return home since.
For people elsewhere facing anxiety over the virus, she says these are the questions to ask yourself:
For people elsewhere facing anxiety over the virus, she says these are the questions to ask yourself:
1. Is my anxiety about a real danger?
Practicing mindfulness can help you work through this question, says therapist Tracy Matthews. "Think about what is happening at that present moment. ‘Am I safe? Are my loved ones safe?’ Don't think about the future or the ‘What If.’"
Practicing mindfulness can help you work through this question, says therapist Tracy Matthews. "Think about what is happening at that present moment. ‘Am I safe? Are my loved ones safe?’ Don't think about the future or the ‘What If.’"
2. Is keeping up with news helping or harming my mental health?
Look to the experts whose mission it is to protect public health, @RobShmerling advises — but be skeptical of conspiracy theories or claims of ‘fake news’ that dismiss recommendations from public health officials.
Look to the experts whose mission it is to protect public health, @RobShmerling advises — but be skeptical of conspiracy theories or claims of ‘fake news’ that dismiss recommendations from public health officials.
3. Should I plan for being displaced or quarantined?
It’s important to develop a plan, just in case. Ask your employer what their plans and policies are if people are not able to come into work. Will you be able to work from home? If you can’t work, will you lose income?
It’s important to develop a plan, just in case. Ask your employer what their plans and policies are if people are not able to come into work. Will you be able to work from home? If you can’t work, will you lose income?
4. What can I take solace in?
"I take solace in the fact that my family is safe," @sheisimanib says.
Her bottom line: Do what you can to prepare, take deep breaths, and practice good hygiene. And don’t catastrophize — you’ll know when the danger is real. read.medium.com/KQBev9N
"I take solace in the fact that my family is safe," @sheisimanib says.
Her bottom line: Do what you can to prepare, take deep breaths, and practice good hygiene. And don’t catastrophize — you’ll know when the danger is real. read.medium.com/KQBev9N
