COVID-19: Managing Anxiety and Stress

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be a time of strong emotions in both adults and children. You may feel anxious, anger, sadness, or overwhelmed. Find ways to reduce your stress to help yourself and the people you care about. Learn the common signs of stress, such as changes in sleep or eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, worsening or chronic health problems, and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Take breaks from news stories, including social media. Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.

Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs. Make time to unwind. Try to do activities you enjoy. Connect with others by phone, text, or email. Share your concerns and feelings with people you trust. If you or someone you know have pre-existing mental health conditions, continue with your treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Contact a health care provider with any concerns or if stress gets in the way of daily activities for several days in a row. If you or someone you care about are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, get support by calling 1-800-985-5990 OR text TalkWithUs, to 66746.

Learn more at cdc.gov/covid19 and coronavirus.gov. Let's take care of ourselves, our family, and our community..