On top of all our daily stresses, we are now coping with the disturbing news surrounding the Coronavirus. I have noticed higher levels of anxiety, and I feel it myself due to the constant media attention and the fact that everyone is concerned and talking about it. I wanted to take this time to do two things.
First, to let you know that I am taking the CDC precautions in my office and in my meetings by cleaning and sanitizing doorknobs, restrooms, and surfaces that we all use. I’m not hugging or shaking hands like usual. This makes me sad as I feel clients appreciate and need human contact when they are experiencing life’s difficult moments, as well as when we are celebrating a breakthrough. If you are not sick and miss these normal interactions, please let me know that you feel comfortable engaging in them.
Second, I’d like to quote Taylor Swift and ask that you “just calm down.” That may sound unsympathetic at a time when this virus is spreading, and people are dying. However, I do have the advantage of being older and have seen pandemics before. I have no reason to believe that this one will be any different.
Here is an article on the 2009 Influenza pandemic: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/2009-h1n1-pandemic.html. This was just 11 years ago. It started right after the economy started falling in 2008. At the time it seemed like the world was ending. As someone who had been taught to believe in Armageddon from birth, in 2009 it looked like that prediction was coming true with both the worse recession in my lifetime and then the pandemic. However, the virus was contained in 2010 and continues to circulate as a seasonal flu virus. Over 12,000 people in the US died from this flu, mostly people who were elderly or had compromised immune systems. The media was going crazy with doomsday editorials. There was panic then, but a few months later, everyone calmed down and didn’t think about it anymore.
We need to use caution and take the necessary steps to stay healthy, but I urge you to also take care of your emotional health. Watching the news continuously will elevate your stress level. Instead, notice your breathing. If you are holding your breath, anxiety has taken over. Take three deep breaths. Remind yourself that we live in the best time in history when it comes to our quality of cleanliness and health care. Be sure to balance the worry with laughter and don’t isolate yourself. Use Facetime to keep in touch with friends, family, and workmates if you do become ill. Check with your doctor and remember that this is the time of year that many suffer from colds, the flu or even seasonal allergies.
It is my mission at Clear Path to help promote mental, emotional and physical health. If I can help in any way, please know I am here to support you and your families.
Cindy Cipriani