Navigating Anxiety and Uncertainty during the COVID-19 Outbreak

By Katie Taylor, LCSW

“There are a lot of things that people can do each day to manage the unknown.”

From 9/11 to the Great Recession and more, individuals, families, and communities have endured stressful, life-changing events. But, because of its fluid nature and indefinite duration, the COVID-19 pandemic presents new challenges. People everywhere are grappling with how to adjust to sudden shifts in their day-to-day lives, while balancing added anxiety and fear with potentially pre-existing mental health and emotional challenges. The good news is that there are a lot of things that people can do each day to manage the unknown. Here are some tips and strategies.

Maintain a routine as much as possible. Make a concerted effort to eat healthy food, get the proper amount of sleep, and exercise, even if you must adapt to a new setting. Within your daily or weekly routines, be sure to take time to do what you enjoy doing, or maybe stretch by trying something new.

Find ways to connect with others. Various online platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype provide effective ways to communicate with associates and loved ones. Pick what work for you, and make time to connect and socialize.

Help people, as you can. Even with new limits and guidelines for social distancing, you can find creative, effective ways to show others that you care. For example, you might want to check in on a neighbor by phone or text, or with a quick, socially distant visit.

Tackle projects around your house. With shifts in your schedule, you may find that you have additional time on your hands. Tend to projects that you have been putting off, especially as your new at-home work and family schedules allow.

Set limits for yourself with news and social media. Make sure the news you consume is reliable, and establish boundaries for how frequently or how long you will watch or read the news or participate on social media.

Practice mindfulness. Be aware of and pay attention to the present moment. Use guided meditation and guided imagery to increase your awareness and focus. If anxious thoughts intrude, push those thoughts out of the way.

Be patient with yourself. Accept that everything will not go as planned, and all of us are doing our best to manage in this new normal.

“Accept that everything will not go as planned, and all of us are
doing our best to manage in this ‘new normal.’ ”

Helpful Links

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Virtual Recovery Support Groups
• Preparing Your Household
• State of Connecticut Official Website
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

When to Seek Help

If you experience changes in mood or appetite, or if your anxiety is too much to manage on your own, reach out to your behavioral health provider, or seek out mental health services. All storms eventually pass. Together, we will move through this crisis.

Interested in Talking More?

For new patients, we provide walk-in behavioral health evaluations, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. First-time evaluations are conducted face-to-face or virtually at:

• One Hope Street, Bristol
• 43 Woodland Street, Hartford
• 40 Hart Street, New Britain
• 91 Northwest Drive, Plainville
• 855 Lakewood Road, Waterbury

For existing patients, call Wheeler’s Navigation Center at 888-793-3500 for more information about depression and anxiety treatment.

You can also learn more about depression and anxiety treatment at Wheeler at this link, including new approaches like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and SPRAVATO® (esketamine).