COPING WITH COVID-19
Know the signs of stress
Your behavior:
An increase or decrease in your energy and activity levels
An increase in your alcohol or tobacco use, or use of Illegal drugs
An increase in irritability, with outbursts of anger and frequent arguing
Difficulty with relaxing or sleeping
Frequent crying
Blaming other people for everything
Difficulty with communicating or listening
Difficulty with giving or accepting help
Your body:
Having stomachaches or diarrhea
Having headaches and other pains
Losing your appetite or eating too much
Sweating or having chills
Getting tremors or muscle twitches
Being easily startled
Your emotions:
■ Being anxious or fearful
■ Experiencing an inability to feel pleasure or have fun
■ Feeling depressed, feeling guilty or angry
■ Wanting to be alone most of the time
■ Feeling heroic, euphoric or invulnerable
■ Not caring about anything
■ Feeling overwhelmed by sadness
Your thinking:
Having trouble remembering things
Feeling confused
Trouble thinking clearly and concentrating
Worrying excessively
Having difficulty making decisions
Know how to relieve stress
Keep yourself healthy:
Eat healthy foods and drink water
Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol
Do not use tobacco or illegal drugs
Get enough sleep and rest
Get physical exercise
Use practical ways to relax:
Relax your body often by doing the things that work for you—take deep breaths, stretch, meditate, engage in pleasurable hobbies
Pace yourself between stressful activities and do a fun thing after a hard task
Use time off to relax—eat a good meal, read, listen to music or talk to family
Talk about your feelings to loved ones and friends often
Pay attention to your body, feelings and spirit:
■ Recognize and heed early warning signs of stress
■ Recognize how your own past experiences affect your way of handling this event, and think of how you handled past events. Focus on the ways you handled them well.
■ Know that feeling stressed, depressed, guilty or angry is common after a traumatic event
■ Connect with others
■ Take time to renew your spirit through meditation, prayer or helping others in need
■ You can manage and alleviate your stress by taking time to take care of yourself
What you should know
The COVID-19 pandemic has been traumatic for many people, much like any natural disaster. After a traumatic event, it’s important to monitor your physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones. Know how to relieve stress. And know when to get help.
