Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background the things that make you different from other people and the community you live in
People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include
Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID 19
Children and teens
People who are helping with the response to COVID 19 like doctors and other health care providers or first responders
People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use
Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include
Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Worsening of chronic health problems
Increased use of alcohol tobacco or other drugs
People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website wwwsamhsagovdisaster preparedness
Taking care of yourself your friends and your family can help you cope with stress Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger
Things you can do to support yourself
Take breaks from watching reading or listening to news stories including social mediaHearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting
Take care of your body Take deep breaths stretch or meditate Try to eat healthy well balanced meals exercise regularly get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs
Make time to unwind Try to do some other activities you enjoy
Connect with others Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling
Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row
Reduce stress in yourself and others Sharing the facts about COVID 19 and understanding the actual risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressfulWhen you share accurate information about COVID 19 you can help make people feel less stressed and allow you to connect with them
Learn more about taking care of your emotional health at emergencycdcgovcopingselfcareasp
Fight the Covid 19 with Sleep
When it comes to your health sleep plays an important role While more sleep wont necessarily prevent you from getting sick skimping on it could adversely affect your immune system leaving you susceptible to colds and viruses Even the US military knows and researches how important sleep is for active military and us all
Amidst growing concern about COVID 19 infection health officials have provided several recommendations to help individuals protect themselves and their families from infection including washing hands regularly and maintaining a distance of at least six feet from anyone who is coughing or sneezing
Fortunately a growing body of evidence suggests that an additional lifestyle modification could also dramatically improve your odds of avoiding infection getting more sleep
