With the constantly changing information about the emerging epidemic of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), many people feel heightened stress and anxiety. It is not so good to feel anxious, and it is not a bad thing either, "says Christine Lothman, counselor on the relationship between the mind and body at the Department of Integrated Medicine and Health Program at the Mayo Clinic in Dubai. "Health anxiety calls us to take action so that we are safe, and we care for the people we love, and to live the experience of current conditions with our ability to be flexible and easy to adapt."
"There are many strategies that can help manage anxiety," said Lothman. "I recommend developing a self-care practice, such as journaling, exercising, yoga, meditation, and prayer." "Another way to cope with anxiety is to exercise mental focus," Lothman said.
The mental focus is to direct attention to a specific purpose at the present moment. And I believe mindfulness is a powerful tool that we can use today.
Lothman adds that mental focus is about concentration and awareness. As she says: “The best way I can communicate is to not be distracted, to be present, and to participate in the visual communication process.”
In order to calm the body and the mind, Lothman suggests the practice of guided meditation, which is the practice of relaxed focus, where you follow instructions provided by a narrator regarding breathing and visualization, and breathing exercises are also important, especially for younger children.
"These exercises can be done three or four times a day," says Lothman. It may not be practicing the entire meditation, but even if you can do breathing exercises 10 times, it may be enough to notice a change in your inner experience.
Health anxiety helps us take action to be safe.
There are many strategies to help manage anxiety.