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Coping with Stress

COPING WITH STRESS DURING THE PANDEMIC WILL MAKE YOU, YOUR LOVED ONES, AND YOUR COMMUNITY STRONGER. LEARN MORE.

Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as physical distancing, can make us feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety.

After a traumatic event, people may have strong and lingering reactions. Learning healthy ways to cope and getting the right care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms.

The symptoms may be physical or emotional. Common reactions to a stressful event can include:

Disbelief

Feelings of fear, shock, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration

Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests

Difficulty sleeping or nightmares, concentrating, and making decisions

Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes

Worsening of chronic health problems

Worsening of mental health conditions

Increased use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances

It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during traumatic events such as mass shootings, natural disasters, or pandemics. Below are ways that you can help yourself, others, and your community manage stress.

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Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress

Feeling emotional and nervous or having trouble sleeping and eating can all be normal reactions to stress. Here are some healthy ways you can deal with stress:

Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. It’s good to be informed but hearing about the traumatic event constantly can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a couple of times a day and disconnecting from phone, tv, and computer screens for a while.

Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and give yourself a break if you feel stressed out.

Take care of your body.Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.Exercise regularly.Get plenty of sleep.Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.Get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible; get a booster shot if you are age 18 or older.

Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.

Talk to others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Share your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a parent, friend, counselor, doctor, or pastor.

Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations.

Avoid drugs and alcohol. These may seem to help, but they can create additional problems and increase the stress you are already feeling.

Recognize when you need more help. If problems continue or you are thinking about suicide, talk to a psychologist, social worker, or professional counselor.