It’s time to talk about coronavirus – the elephant that has been in the room for several weeks. Over the past week, the current coronavirus outbreak is triggering increased anxiety especially with such heightened media attention. Anxiety thrives on uncertainty and just like I wanted to re-set the time on the morning I was involved in a motor vehicle crash, today… I wanted to re-set the world.
I will admit, I have been monitoring the situation with one ear open and have been fully aware of what was happening over the last month. While I may have not understood it completely, I was aware that gradually it was starting to get worse. Travel advisories, cruise line quarantines, self-isolation and even death are now the daily headlines and the most recent news was the President of the United States announcing that all flights to Europe will be suspended for thirty days. Shit just got real.
When I heard that news, I felt complete disbelief and thought I was having a bad dream. As I write this, I am still in denial and I find myself wondering how many other people feel the same way. This is definitely a huge trigger to my anxiety as talk of coronavirus can be frightening so here are some things to keep in mind.
You Must De-Plug
Firstly, we must try our best to de-plug. Try to limit the amount of time you spend reading or listening to anyone talk about the coronavirus. While it is important to stay on top of current recommendations and alerts, remember that every time you expose yourself to disturbing news, you are stoking the fires of your anxiety. With so much changing in the world every few hours, it can become difficult not to become stressed and overwhelmed. Try to look just once a day and if your family member(s) or loved one(s) feel the need to constantly update you on the virus, kindly excuse yourself from the conversation or just be honest with them and explain how it is adding to your anxiety. Always remember that they are also anxious and possibly scared!
Reflect on times in the past that you have successfully managed challenging life circumstances such as your motor vehicle crash. You are strong and you are a survivor! Some coping skills that often help with anxiety are writing down your thoughts, focused deep breathing or mindful meditation. We also welcome you to reach out to our Online Support Group and speak to us about your recovery as it will not only take your mind off of the coronavirus, it will make you feel grounded. Those of you recovering from injuries or underlying health conditions must remain smart and vigilant. Ask someone else to stop by a grocery store or run an errand for you. Please don’t risk it!
We know how it spreads so lets take precautions!
- Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Stay home if you feel sick.
- Clean surfaces that you touch often.
- Maintain your routines as much as possible.
- Avoid crowds, but don’t isolate yourself.
During this time of heightened stress and uncertainty, it is essential that we care for ourselves and manage our anxiety. Although we may not be able to choose exactly how coronavirus impacts the world, we can choose how we respond to it emotionally. We are thinking of everyone across the world that has been deeply affected by the coronavirus and we send our deepest condolences to the families that have lost loves ones due to this outbreak.
Please stay healthy!
S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever. Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories. Dawne is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.
