Where to Start?
Today, for reasons largely beyond our control, many of us feel particularly anxious and uncertain.
To help stabilize yourself, please divide your worries into two parts: what you can influence and what you cannot influence.
Let go of the part you cannot influence and hand it over to those who have the necessary expertise. Focus your attention, energy, and time on the part you can influence.
Practical advice
So:
- Don’t panic.
- Don’t consume all the information available in the media; rely on what you trust and what is verified. Don’t listen to hearsay and don’t spread such information.
- Create your own understanding of what is happening.
- Rely on common sense rather than emotions.
- Talk to children about what is happening; ask them how they feel and share your feelings. Let them know that you will overcome everything together.
- Pay attention to the internal causes of your anxiety is. The greater your internal anxiety, the more you react to the intensification of the situation. Try to figure out what is happening within you personally.
- Roughly plan what will happen if the situation worsens. How prepared are you for this? Study the necessary information, listen to experts’ advice, and take it into account.
- Take good care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat well, rest, and look after yourself.
- Establish a daily routine. Stick to a schedule and get yourself ready every morning, even if you spend most of your time at home.
- Pay attention to sports and creative activities.
- Make jokes, show kindness, and support others; social connections are an important component of mental wellbeing.
- If you want to cope with the threat—take action. Do what you can in this moment and place.
- If necessary, consult a mental health professional: a psychotherapist, neurologist, or psychiatrist who can help stabilize your condition.
