As more and more governors order statewide lockdowns and more and more of us are stranded homebound for the next few weeks, this Coronavirus has gotten very real very quickly. Many people are finding it difficult to cope with our new situation. On top of worrying about catching the virus, running out of toilet paper, and possibly being laid off from our jobs, a lot of us are probably getting a bit stir crazy, bored, and we don’t really know what to do with ourselves.

Stress, anxiety, and boredom is a very dangerous combination for our mental health and well being. The less we have to do during stressful situations, the more we dwell on everything going on around us and the more we feel anxious. It’s a vicious circle and something that you should do your best to break out of. To add insult to injury, stress and anxiety take a large toll on your immune health, which is about the last thing you want during a viral outbreak.

CBD for COVID-19

In our last article, we discussed the importance of only focusing on things you can control—your job, your skills, your family, etc. We said how when there are big, scary things happening in the world, it can sometimes be a good idea to narrow your vision even more than normal and concentrate on what you can directly influence. Doing this helps ease anxiety and can help boost your confidence.

If you feel you need a little help in calming down and quieting the anxious, stress filled voices in your head, we recommend trying CBD. As our previous article lays out, there are many studies that indicate CBD has great potential for combatting anxious feelings, especially in uncertain times like the ones we find ourselves in presently.

Mental Health during COVID-19

Aside from actually contracting the virus itself (or, possibly, running out of toilet paper), the biggest threat to your well being during this crisis is in the realm of mental health. Like we mentioned, these mental health problems stem largely from the uncertainty we are feeling, as well as the isolation that has been thrust upon us.

However, there are some things you can do while we weather this storm to support yourself, your mental health, and the health of those around you. Here are four things that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends to maintain a healthy mindset during Coronavirus:

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditateexternal icon. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugsexternal icon.
• 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.

The CDC also recommends learning the facts about the disease for yourself and your family. This will help you avoid adding even more stress and anxiety to your plate by helping you dispel rumors and false information.

Learn more about what the CDC says about coping and managing stress during the outbreak.

Here is what the CDC says are the key facts about COVID-19.

Don’t Just Focus on the Negative

Is the Coronavirus a big deal? Absolutely. Is it scary for a lot of people? Definitely. Are there going to be challenges down the road that we all will have to deal with? Always.

For most of us, this is a situation we have never been in before. But the important thing to keep in mind is that, however bad it may seem, all of this is only temporary. The virus will burn itself out, stores and businesses will reopen, people will go back to work, and the engine of the economy and our normal lives will start roaring once again.

The problem is, if you are constantly consuming the endless slew of information on social media and in the traditional media, the situation might appear bleaker than it actually is. Keep in mind that good, positive things are also happening. People and businesses alike are stepping up to help those out of work, to get health care professionals the tools and supplies they need, and to assist the more vulnerable members of their communities.

The situation is changing rapidly and some of the things in this article may be out of date by the time you read this, but here is an article outlining ten silver linings about Coronavirus.

Here is another article discussing how several companies are stepping up to help people during COVID-19.

If You Want to Find Something that May Help, Try CBD

If you want to help ease your anxiety, quiet the stressful voices, and help yourself sleep better, then it might be worth giving CBD a try to see if it helps. It has no negative side effects and has been widely reported by users that it helps with their anxiety.

It might be just the boost you’re looking for! Click here to learn more.

Remember to stay positive, and we wish you health and calmness during this difficult time.