HEALTH+WELLNESS
T O P TI P S TO
HANDLE ANXIETY
During the COVID-19 Pandemic
BY ANDREA BARKER, THE CONFIDENCE COACH
THE UK IS IN VERY CHALLENGING UNCHARTERED
WATERS, DEALING WITH LOCKDOWNS, SOCIAL
DISTANCING AND MUCH UNCERTAINTY AROUND COVID-
19, IT IS THEREFORE UNDERSTANDABLE THAT YOU MAY
BE FEELING ANXIOUS AND STRESSED.
“IT IS OK TO NOT FEEL OK, AND
TO FEEL THE WAY YOU ARE
FEELING, IN SUCH
UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, AND
IT’S TIME TO BE KIND TO
YOURSELF. WHAT IS
IMPORTANT IS HOW YOU DEAL
WITH HOW YOU ARE FEELING,
TO REDUCE STRESS AND
ANXIETY IN THE BEST WAY FOR
YOU, AND TO IMPROVE YOUR
OVERALL WELLBEING.”
Rochester-based Andrea Barker, The Confidence
Coach, has seen a marked increase in the number
of people contacting her feeling anxious, stressed,
worried, uncertain or frightened. So, if you are seeing
raised anxiety levels, you are not alone.
There are many things you can do that can help to
reduce stress and anxiety levels, and help you feel
more in control.
It is important to look at what you CAN control for
you and your loved ones and to follow the advice
being given to keep safe.
Tips and Advice:
Remember, your feelings do matter, and if you are
really struggling, with self-isolating and social
distancing, then speak to others. Acknowledge how
you feel and try some of these tips:
• Concentrate on what you CAN control, day to
day, and literally ground yourself in each day, and
deal with what you can do. COVID-19 itself is out
of your control. All everyone can do is put the
measures in place to try the best you can to limit
the effects and protect the most vulnerable. Most
people will suffer mild symptoms and recover.
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• If your anxiety soars and you feel like you are
panicking, tap several times below your collarbone,
relatively hard and sing a nursery rhyme and tell
yourself ‘I am OK’. Go back to the things you
are in control of, like going for a walk around the
block, turning up the music or perhaps cleaning
out a cupboard.
• Stay connected with friends, family, colleagues,
school, college or University friends in whatever
way you can. Why not ring someone you haven’t
spoken to in a while or send an uplifting card.
• Help or connect with someone in your
neighbourhood that might be isolated, go about
this safely and wisely and never put yourself at
risk – there are some good community groups to
be a part of.
• Join supportive practical uplifting groups through
social media or set up your own ‘virtual’ meet-up
over coffee, or just to chat. There are many crafting,
baking and fitness groups that you can be a part
of and prayer groups from all religions, are
delivering services online.
• It is best to stick to the facts. Avoid the
scaremongering on social media, as there can be
very skewed opinions, also limit your time on social
platforms, unless they are supportive and maybe
only watch the news once a day.
• Have a routine! I can’t recommend this highly
enough, most especially for those people not used
to working from home or being at home with no
work or school to go to. Stick to a schedule of when
you get up, have breakfast, do exercise, do work,
connect with people in whatever way you can, and
go to bed. This schedule doesn’t have to be strict,
so allow some flexibility and time to relax
About The Confidence Coach
Andrea Barker, The Confidence Coach has a
diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy, is an NLP
practitioner and was a Registered General Nurse.
Andrea is a member of the GHR – General
Hypnotherapy Register and GHSC – General
Hypnotherapy Standards Council.
For more information and advice visit:
www.andreabarker.co.uk.