CORONAVIRUS AND ANXIETY

Approximately 30% of people live life with serious obstacles caused by anxiety. The conditions created by the pandemic necessarily increase our stress levels. So how can we cope with our stress and anxiety in this period and how can we best manage this process?

When a zebra sees a lion, the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, triggers the hypothalamus, activates the fight or flight mechanism by secreting stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol through the hypothalamus sympathetic nervous system.

The fight or flight mechanism first made reference to by Walter Bradford Cannon for the first time accelerates the animal’s heartbeat and allows more blood to go to the related muscles. It increases the likelihood of survival by inhibiting the activities of the immune and digestive systems. From an evolutionary perspective, according to Robert Sapolsky, this mechanism is no different in human beings, but the threat is mortgage lenders instead of a lion.

This mechanism, which can keep you alive in the African savanna, can become unbearable when it is over-stimulated. So how do we restrain our amygdala? By increasing the activity of the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of our brain responsible for logic. This can restrain the amygdala and prevent our body from overreacting.

Dr. Lerner, who spent most of his career researching the effects of anxiety on individuals, has some recommendations. “my advice for coping is to research and learn the facts because ignorance increases anxiety. Prefer depoliticized resources because there is a lot of information pollution. But don’t overdo it because too much information and obsession about it can increase stress.”

We are quite familiar with the answer to fight or flight and we will see the effects of this in this period. This will come up as an individual discussion, accusation and communication interruption. This is normal but if we can be aware of it we can avoid it. When survival anxiety is high and goods feel scarce, anxiety and stress increases and we blame people more. Like overreacting someone who carelessly sneezes.

Avoid uncertainty

Uncertainty is one of the top titles that increase stress. We need to know the difference between fear and anxiety. Fear is mostly in the face of certain danger and for a short time. anxiety is expectation of a future threat. The reason why uncertainty increases stress levels is the tendency to constantly calculate the level of risk. People with a tendency to be overly anxious will experience this uncertainty.

Social distancing doesn’t mean not talking to anyone

It is essential to stay in touch with your family, friends, and neighbors. In an article published in the Journal Nature in 2001, it was argued that socialization was a key force for our primate ancestors to hunt at night. this old tradition of socializing still makes us feel safer. According to psychologist Susan Pinker, “talking face to face is like a vaccine” We can make face-to-face in the virtual world or by phone.

Do not neglect your self-care

Live healthy, continue your practice such as exercise meditation and religious rituals. Research shows that exercise and meditation are almost as effective as antidepressants to reduce stress.

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