While this time is high with uncertainty, it is important to manage stress, anxiety and fear at this time. Decisions must be made based on facts from reputable sources; such as the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NDCD) or WHO; and not on hearsay or unverified sources. Everywhere you turn today you hear or read about COVID-19 or coronavirus that is causing chaos, many illnesses, deaths and affecting everything from the global financial markets to school closures around the world.
[Read: Top Tools and Resources for Online Learning]
Manage Stress, Anxiety and Fear
Lanre Olusola a life coach, shared a very detailed article breaking down the real dangers of excessive stress. As he rightly points out, stress as a result of fear, anxiety, worry and panic is by far more dangerous in the long run for everyone than the coronavirus.
Stress will lead to irrational judgement and rash decisions; excessive stress leads to several cycles of flight and fight modes. This will eventually cause more fear, panic and stress putting you in self-protection mode which uses up all your body’s available energy. In addition, it shuts down your body’s growth mode and eventually shuts down your immune system.
Remaining in a constant state of flight and fight will instruct your brain to release over 1,400 neurotransmitters, two (Adrenaline and cortisol) which have a severe effect on your body and brain. Which includes diminishing your immunity thereby making you vulnerable to a wider range of diseases.
Stress, fear and panic can eventually affect your mental, emotional and physical health long term.
All the negative news and statistics can also trigger a psychologically NOCEBO EFFECT (The opposite of the placebo effect).
If you keep focusing on something negative, the tendency is that it can come true for you. This can become a self-fulfilling prophecy for you Click To Tweet
Please don’t get into fear, worry, anxiety, panic and stress mode, stay positive by focusing on preventing the coronavirus and protecting yourself and your loved ones, which is the best you can do at this time.
Some important preventive measures for yourself and your family
When you know what to do to take control and protect yourself, you will be able to manage the stress that comes from the uncertainty.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Trust that if you keep your immune system high your body will protect you
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Practice good hygiene: wash hands for at least 20 seconds (sing the happy birthday song twice), use sanitiser, avoid large crowds.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Drink lots of water
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Put some distance between yourself and other people. At least 2 metres is recommended by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your inner elbow when you cough or sneeze. Immediately dispose of used tissues.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Frequently clean and disinfect touched surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
–         Remember that the virus can live for at least 12 hours and up to 3 days—on surfaces. So wash your hands with soap immediately you touch any surface.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Remember that the virus can survive on fabric, for 6-12 hours, wash immediately you take off your clothes. Normal laundry detergent will kill the virus.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Eat healthy take food supplements and avoid processed and junk foods – keep your body strong. Use healthy foods to boost your immune system.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Consume Vitamin C rich foods such as Citrus fruits, red bell peppers, broccoli, kale, strawberries, kiwi, guava and consume lots of Garlic and Ginger.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Boost your immune system with probiotics by eating yoghurt.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Take herbs such as ginseng, myrrh and turmeric.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Eat foods rich in vitamin D like wild salmon and mushrooms. soak in the early morning sun rays
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Consume lots of raw honey as this is an antioxidant
Maintain a Positive Mindset
To manage stress, and to ensure that your mental health is in top shape at this time; you need to have a positive mindset.
As a parent, it is important to stay calm and be the leader that your child needs during this uncertain time. Reduce the worry and fear and just take all preventive measures stated above. By God’s grace and mercy, we will all be okay.
As a parent, it is important to stay calm and be the leader that your child needs during this uncertain time Click To TweetRead more on the series How to Boost your Dose of Dose.
SEE ALSO: Read How to Practice Social Distancing and Spend Time as a Family
How Distracted Parenting is Affecting ChildrenÂ
