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Managing stress and anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 17, 2020 | Jennifer O'Hara | @jenohara | Comments (10)

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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes to daily life, and disrupted normal routines at work, at school, and at home. Physical isolation can negatively affect mental health, and constant news coverage can bring fear and anxiety about the disease. How can you best cope in these uncertain times?

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, chair of the Division of Integrated Behavioral Health at Mayo Clinic, shares helpful tips and strategies on managing stress and anxiety during the pandemic.

To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used.

Connect with other talking about managing stress and anxiety during the pandemic in the COVID-19 support group. See these discussions:

4 Reactions

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maggiek | @maggiek | Apr 20, 2020

The constant fear and stress of covid and trying my best to comply has been difficult. Before covid I was hoping to find a doctor to refer me to a therapist for other mental issues. With the help of family I will manage, but now this situation in our province with this tragic shooting has added to the stressful news we hear day in and day out. Must try not to watch the news as much. Local , National and American. That’s another kettle of fish! Difficult as times are I’m glad we live in Canada and not the United States.

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 20, 2020

@maggiek, Hi, to our Canadian neighbor. Must tell you how much I enjoyed viewing the Olympics held in your country...it was an opportunity for me to learn about your wonderful and diverse country.

This is such a time of uncertainty that I think most of us are feeling more stress and anxiety than before. One of the changes I made a few weeks ago was to limit my tv news to one mid-day briefing from a gov. I admire and then another early evening nat'l news broadcast which tends to summarize the news of the day. Doing this helped me focus on other activities.

I am so happy to know that you have the support of family for help. Hope to hear from you again and eager to learn what part of Canada you call home.

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1 reply
maggiek | @maggiek | Apr 21, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "@maggiek, Hi, to our Canadian neighbor. Must tell you how much I enjoyed viewing the Olympics..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@maggiek, Hi, to our Canadian neighbor. Must tell you how much I enjoyed viewing the Olympics held in your country...it was an opportunity for me to learn about your wonderful and diverse country.

This is such a time of uncertainty that I think most of us are feeling more stress and anxiety than before. One of the changes I made a few weeks ago was to limit my tv news to one mid-day briefing from a gov. I admire and then another early evening nat'l news broadcast which tends to summarize the news of the day. Doing this helped me focus on other activities.

I am so happy to know that you have the support of family for help. Hope to hear from you again and eager to learn what part of Canada you call home.

Jump to this post

I had a reply written and all of a sudden it was gone....is there a time limited

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1 reply
maggiek | @maggiek | Apr 21, 2020

I'm going to try this again. Glad you enjoyed the Olympics and a bit of a view of Canada. We are truly blessed to live in this country!
I am trying to limit my tv time devoted to Covid , but Covid has taken a back seat to the senseless tragedy in our Province over the past weekend.
We live approximately 3 hours from the areas affected and our daughter in Halifax about an hour . Our other daughter lives on the other side of the country on Vancouver Island... from sea to sea. We are all trying to wrap our heads around this... I'll be doing something and all of a sudden the tears come.
One thing I've learned along the way to seniorhood , if that's a word, is that we do not have enough, what I call doctors of the mind. and if we are fortunate enough to find one, that we connect with, we are truly fortunate. We still are waiting to learn if there are more bodies in burned out structures, homes along the way or other of the 15 or 16 crime scenes. And why, why did this man do what he has done. Nova Scotians are close, we do for each other, wave at folks we don't know, stop for folks to cross the street, and cars to take there turn at stop signs... doors for the most part are open to friends and neighbours, Why oh why when life is so difficult in so many other ways, did this have to come along... and was this maybe as my grandmother used to say...something in this man's mind the straw that broke the camels back. these things don't come about over night.. obviously well planned and executed... when and why did this obsession begin.
Bless those that are grieving... bless those that are at these crime scenes every day trying to figure out "why". take care...stay safe!

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1 reply
maggiek | @maggiek | Apr 21, 2020

I must say that I am new to this... and it appears that I may have commented on a podcast session... rather than in the anxiety and depression group.. Is that correct and if so, would it be wise to comment in that particular group where that is my interest at this time?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 21, 2020
In reply to @maggiek "I must say that I am new to this... and it appears that I may have..." + (show)
@maggiek

I must say that I am new to this... and it appears that I may have commented on a podcast session... rather than in the anxiety and depression group.. Is that correct and if so, would it be wise to comment in that particular group where that is my interest at this time?

Jump to this post

Hi @maggiek, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You're correct that you've replied to a podcast session. Here is the link to the Depression & Anxiety group:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/depression-anxiety/
Please browse all the discussion topics. However, I think at this time you may be particularly interested in these discussions:
- How are you handling anxiety in this time of COVID-19? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-7/
- Isolation: How Do We Handle it? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/isolation-how-do-we-handle-it/

REPLY
Jane | @darlingtondoll | Apr 21, 2020
In reply to @maggiek "I had a reply written and all of a sudden it was gone....is there a time..." + (show)
@maggiek

I had a reply written and all of a sudden it was gone....is there a time limited

Jump to this post

This has happened to me several times. Each time I had written a lengthy response. I just gave up every time.

REPLY
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 21, 2020
In reply to @maggiek "I'm going to try this again. Glad you enjoyed the Olympics and a bit of a..." + (show)
@maggiek

I'm going to try this again. Glad you enjoyed the Olympics and a bit of a view of Canada. We are truly blessed to live in this country!
I am trying to limit my tv time devoted to Covid , but Covid has taken a back seat to the senseless tragedy in our Province over the past weekend.
We live approximately 3 hours from the areas affected and our daughter in Halifax about an hour . Our other daughter lives on the other side of the country on Vancouver Island... from sea to sea. We are all trying to wrap our heads around this... I'll be doing something and all of a sudden the tears come.
One thing I've learned along the way to seniorhood , if that's a word, is that we do not have enough, what I call doctors of the mind. and if we are fortunate enough to find one, that we connect with, we are truly fortunate. We still are waiting to learn if there are more bodies in burned out structures, homes along the way or other of the 15 or 16 crime scenes. And why, why did this man do what he has done. Nova Scotians are close, we do for each other, wave at folks we don't know, stop for folks to cross the street, and cars to take there turn at stop signs... doors for the most part are open to friends and neighbours, Why oh why when life is so difficult in so many other ways, did this have to come along... and was this maybe as my grandmother used to say...something in this man's mind the straw that broke the camels back. these things don't come about over night.. obviously well planned and executed... when and why did this obsession begin.
Bless those that are grieving... bless those that are at these crime scenes every day trying to figure out "why". take care...stay safe!

Jump to this post

@maggiek, I'm just becoming aware of the horrible tragedy that has occurred in your area of Nova Scotia. My heart goes out to you and all devastated by this needless, senseless crime. There are no words to begin to comfort the grieving but my prayers go to all who have been touched by this destruction of lives, properties and futures. Do know that others care and hope you will continue to also stay safe and healthy.

REPLY
1 reply
maggiek | @maggiek | Apr 21, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "@maggiek, I'm just becoming aware of the horrible tragedy that has occurred in your area of..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@maggiek, I'm just becoming aware of the horrible tragedy that has occurred in your area of Nova Scotia. My heart goes out to you and all devastated by this needless, senseless crime. There are no words to begin to comfort the grieving but my prayers go to all who have been touched by this destruction of lives, properties and futures. Do know that others care and hope you will continue to also stay safe and healthy.

Jump to this post

Thank you. It’s almost like your mind explodes there is so much to take in!

REPLY
maggiek | @maggiek | Apr 21, 2020

I have pasted my post to the anxiety group discussions ...perhaps you will be there too? So appreciate your thoughts. Now let’s see if I am catching on. News update, 2 more deaths. 23 including the shooter./arsonist.

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