Gearing up for Janta Curfew: How to cope with stress and anxiety

The coronavirus pandemic is growing and Indians are increasingly adapting to social distancing advisories ahead of the Janta Curfew on Sunday, March 22.

But being cut off from society doesn't only mean the inconvenience of working from home, or not being able to meet friends and family, experts have also raised concerns that social isolation can have a profound effect on people's physical, as well as mental health, if not done properly.

The World Health Organization recommends the following measures to cope with stress and anxiety during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak:

• It's normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. WHO recommends calling and talking to friends and family to cope up.
• Don't use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotions. Talk to a health worker or counselor if you feel overwhelmed.
• Even when you are home, maintain a healthy lifestyle and ensure that you get a proper diet, sleep, and exercise. Also, try to stay in touch with loved ones over email and phone.
• Having a plan on how to seek help for physical and mental health needs, if required, will help you stay calm.
• Find a credible source to gather the information that will help you determine your risk so you can take reasonable precautions.
• But limit the time you spend on watching, listening or reading media coverage that you perceive as upsetting.
• Draw on skills you have used in the past or develop new skills to manage your emotions during the challenging time of this outbreak.