The outbreak of the Coronavirus has led to everyone feeling anxious about the present and the future. People are panicking, which is worsening the problem rather than correcting it. In such times, it is important to be aware of the things you feed your mind and pay close attention to your feelings to make sure that you safeguard your mental health as stress dampens our immune systems to a point where we are more vulnerable to such viruses.

Here are ten things you can do to achieve a sense of calm in the midst of a global crisis.

1.  Shut Off the News

While it is important to be aware of what is happening in the world, too much information and especially about what is on the news nowadays can really take a toll on your mental health and cause you to worry about things that are beyond your control.

2.  Plan the Future, But Don’t Hoard

Start planning your quarantine days. We don’t know if things will get better or worse in the upcoming few weeks, so it is better that you are prepared. However, being prepared does not mean being selfish and hoarding in grocery supplies. Always be mindful of the impact of your actions on the elderly and vulnerable people in our society.

3.  Get Good Sleep

One of the biggest deterrents of anxiety is a healthy sleeping pattern. Even though having no school, college, or work to go to, you might be tempted to stay awake late at night, but it will bring your mental health no good.

4.  Don’t Forget to Exercise

Physical activity is the best solution to anxiety and depression, and in uncertain times such as the one we’re going through right now, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is of utmost importance to keep your spirits up and boost immunity.

Recommended read: How to boost your workout

5.  Don’t Resort to Unhealthy Habits

It can be quite tempting to resort to drinking, smoking, or doing other drugs when you’re feeling low and anxious because of the pandemic. It is important too, however, to try and have some self-control and not deteriorate your health just for momentary pleasure.

6.  Get Hold of Proper Facts

Spend some of your time in quarantine to do extensive research and find out the truth about the matters from credible sources.

7.  Call Up an Old Friend

It is quite common to lose touch with some of our friends because of our busy work lives. Use the opportunity of quarantine to call an old friend up and catch up on what’s new in their life.

8.  Meditate

Meditating is always one of the best ways to get away from your negative thoughts and seek inner peace. Spend time on taking care of your mental health because, during the crisis, we will need every little drop of sanity.

9.  Spend Time with Your Family

While there are many downsides to the quarantine, being able to spend time with your loved ones is one of the plus points. Relax and unwind in your home with your family while also respecting the 2m social distancing.

10. Use Your Own Skills

At the end of the day, no one knows your mind than yourself. There are many things that we, as individuals, have tried and tested that help us deal with our anxiety. Build upon those and use them to curb your anxious thoughts in such a tough time.

Stay safe and positive.

Remember that tough times don’t last but tough people do.