COVID-19 is provoking anxiety in many as the number of cases continues to grow internationally, and locally.
LSU Health New Orleans professor of Clinical Psychology Michelle Moore says one way to reduce anxiety is to make sure that you are getting your news from a legitimate source.
“Looking at what the CDC is saying or the WHO, and making sure that the information that you are getting is from a news source that is based on research and fact,” says Moore.
Moore says logging off of social media, for the time being, is another way to reduce anxiety.
“If you are reading about other people being worried and panicking, that could increase your anxiety, so now might be a time to remove yourself from some of these social media sites,” says Moore.
Moore says the best way to handle the stress of this growing pandemic is to approach it like you would a hurricane.
“You watch the news so you are aware of what is happening and how you personally need to prepare for yourself and your family, and then at some point, it is ok to turn the news off and get some distance from it,” says Moore.
She adds talking to your children about the virus may be a difficult conversation, but teaching them how to stay safe at this time is important.
