Quarantine, physical distancing and isolation measures, the closure of schools and workplaces are particularly challenging for us as they affect our daily live, affect what we love to do, where we want to be, and who we want to be with. All these things affects the mental health of people. In this blog, we have collected the most common psychologists’ advices for you on how to cope with stress during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Remember that it is absolutely natural for each of us to feel stress, anxiety, fear, and loneliness during this time, so don’t try to block your feelings.

Follow the WHO guidelines during the epidemic, because knowing how to deal in a critical situation reduces anxiety.

Basic information hygiene will help reduce anxiety levels. Try to limit the amount of information you consume, reduce the amount of time you spend on reading news on social media and on television. Choose the sources of information you trust and ban those that spread panic.

Manage uncertainty by staying in the present. Take each day as it comes and focus on the things you can control. Mindfulness and meditation can be great tools for dealing with stress.

Routine  can be your friend as it helps to manage anxiety, and will help you to adapt to this current reality more quickly. Create clear distinctions between work and non-work time. Working in short bursts with clear breaks will help to maintain your clarity of thought.

Take time for yourself and fill up with inner resources. Take your time every day, do what you like doing. It can be sports, or any kind of creativity, walking in a remote location, or just relaxing. The main thing is that at this time no one can bother you and you may relax in solitude.

Psychologists advise to be creative, because immerse yourself in creativity helps to get distracted from the events of the world and fine motor skills stimulate brain function and have a meditative relaxing effect.

Keep connected. Maintaining social networks can foster a sense of normality and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress. You can maintain these connections without increasing your risk of getting the virus by talking on the phone, texting or chatting with people on social media platforms. Feel free to share useful information you find on government websites with your friends and family. It will help them deal with their own anxiety.

Do not forget about healthy sleep and exercise. They help you cope even with intense stress. Healthy 8-hour sleep elevates mood, strengthens memory and reduces pain.