Given the spread of the Corona virus, and the application of home quarantine around the world, it is certain that many people, especially parents, feel fear and anxiety that the epidemic will infect them or one of their family members. And here, Dr. Kia Carter of Cook Children's Hospital answers questions. Common, which relates to anxiety and excessive fear during this ordeal.
1 normal life
It may contribute to alleviating parents ’fears by limiting access to new information and research related to the virus, as this will give parents the opportunity to focus on themselves and their families to preserve their health, by not being subjected to constant disturbing information, and not mixing with the community around them.
It is very important to maintain a feeling of normalcy, and this is done through the practice of the usual daily routine to remove the feeling of anxiety and fear of sudden change.
2 calming activities
Many do not know that anxiety and nervous stress affect a person's daily life without feeling. The effect appears on the person in various forms, including loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, difficulty focusing, fatigue, mood swings, irritability, and a constant feeling of confusion.
Anxiety may turn into more serious conditions over time, such as depression or excessive irritation, and symptoms of diabetes, chronic heart disease, and pulmonary problems may become more severe.
One of the solutions that may contribute to removing anxiety is focusing on calming activities, such as reading, sports, yoga and meditation, or communicating with friends and loved ones.
It is very important to stay away from hearing news that is circulating, which may cause concern. Listening to the conditions of those infected with the virus may increase fear, and it is best not to follow these news more than once or twice a day.
3 daily schedule
The best way to avoid the virus in this period is to stick to the usual daily routine as much as possible. This may be done by creating a schedule for children and parents identical to the usual school or work day, and organizing family activities in the home or on the patio.
And if someone is forced out of the house to meet needs, children and parents should be encouraged to limit touching of items in the shops, and to use hand sanitizer frequently. It is advised to give young children a toy to focus on instead of touching the surroundings.
If the child does not adhere to the instructions, and he touches things around him, the guardian must remain calm, not to panic in front of the child, and guide him to cleanse his hands immediately.
It is also important to leave the distance between people, and an easy way to teach a child is to imagine that he is in an impenetrable bubble, but we must not fear and provoke panic.