- Remember distress anxiety fear and strong emotions are normal during times of distress or crisis
- Get information from a trusted source. Learn and follow tips for preparing for, responding to and preventing COVID-19.
>> 2020 Watch: How will the coronavirus change the elections?
- Avoid excessive media exposure -- get good information to help prepare and respond, but don't overwhelm yourself
- Eat nutritious food, exercise, get good sleep, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and drugs, make time to relax and unwind
- Incorporate stretching or meditation into your routine. Take deep breaths when feeling overwhelmed.
- Stay connected with friends and family. Discuss your concerns.
- Keep participating in hobbies and activities that do not put you in close physical contact with others.
- If you have a mental health condition, continue with treatment plan and call healthcare provider with any concerns,
- Recognize signs of distress:
- Feeling hopeless or helpless
- Feelings of numbness, disbelief, anxiety or fear
- Changes in appetite, energy and activity levels
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares and upsetting thoughts and images
- Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains stomach problems and skin rashes
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Anger or short temper
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs
- Call your healthcare provider if your feelings overwhelm you for several days in a row
- Reach out for help:
- Contact Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's National Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 1-800-985-5990 or texting TalkWithUS to 66746.
- Reach out to the Ohio Crisis Text Line by texting keyword 4HOPE to 741741
- Reach the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services Help Line at 1-877-275-6364
In Other News
1
JD Vance’s mother asks Middletown to recognize son’s victory with Trump
2
Woman convicted in Lakota student’s death sentenced to jail, house...
3
Mrs. Claus’ Coffee Crawl to benefit Warder Literacy Center, which is...
4
What we know about the ongoing Frisch’s closings
5
$1.2M Tuttle library branch to hold soft opening Wednesday
About the Author