04/02/2020
A client asked for tips on managing her staff’s anxiety during this difficult time. Here’s what I offered. I hope it can help in your workplace AND your home!
* Focus on the facts: For a lot of people, anxiety about the Coronavirus is the result of incomplete or incorrect information. Personally, I stick to Associated Press and always check sources. The CDC still has the most up to date information, so try to stick to the facts to reduce anxiety. News literacy is so important, and social media is a huge source of misinformation.
* Encourage media balance: With this quickly evolving situation, we may be compelled to keep up with the latest headlines. But given the upheaval the Coronavirus is creating across the world, this constant stream of updates might make us feel uncertain, anxious, and afraid. Encourage them to reflect on how their media use makes them feel, and then encourage them to adjust their habits as needed. Personally, I notice my chest getting tight when I catch up on updates in the evening, so I have to stop. It can lead to creating symptoms in your mind and results in extreme anxiety.
* Avoiding conversations about Coronavirus can sometimes just create more anxiety. Maybe set aside a time for people to openly discuss what they’re hearing. This can also be a good opportunity to correct misinformation, if possible.
* Physical activity is so important, now more than ever. It serves as a distraction.
* If you’re stressed about the current situation, they’ll likely pick up on it, so try to manage your own anxiety when dealing with these situations at work.
