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Home » Exercise Programs » OPINION: The anxiety pandemic – Wicked Local

Donna M. Murphy| Wicked Local

Are you having trouble sleeping? Do you find yourself starting a task and then forgetting what you were going to do? Do you find yourself consumed with worry about your own health, or your family, friends or loved ones? The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives in unprecedented ways, and seems to have created a pandemic of anxiety. Anxiety can be an everyday response to any unexpected blip in your routine, sparking a perception that something is wrong; it is a signal to be on alert and do some planning. A fear or anxiety response is a natural, typically brief response to an accurately perceived danger. When that response becomes ingrained in our thought process, or becomes an unspecified fear of something that might happen in the future, anxiety can interfere with our thinking and actually prevent us from making an accurate assessment of the situation.

Anxiety manifests in different ways. At its most extreme, it can overwhelm our thinking, such that the perception of danger becomes preoccupying; it can lead to behaviors like obsessive cleanliness, repetitive questioning, a need for constant reassurance, agitation or insomnia. It can also manifest physically, with symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, feeling a shortness of breath, tension, restlessness, stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite or vomiting. These physical symptoms themselves can become a source of anxiety, compounding the anxiety experienced.

Chronic anxiety differs from a natural fear response in its doggedness. When we are unable to stop thinking about the worrying situation, or when the worry impacts our daily activities, our concentration or our sleep, it has morphed from its natural function as a fear response into a misplaced attempt to plan for an unpredictable future.

While we wait for the commercialization of the COVID vaccines, we need to take care of our mental as well as our physical health. Everyone should follow established guidelines wash your hands, wear a mask, social distance whenever possible, and limit exposure to people outside your household. Beyond this, take steps to reduce the anxiety that you feel. Limit your media consumption constant exposure to reports of illness and death tolls increase anxiety. Listen to music rather than the news. Exercise. If you dont feel comfortable going outside, find an activity you can do inside that moves your body. Dance, even if youre alone. If you cant even get out of your chair, exercise your fingers and toes (they need it too!) Moving your body will not only make you feel better, but it will take your mind off COVID, and help you combat anxiety. Be verbal. Remember that smiles, grimaces and other facial gestures are that much harder to detect when someone is wearing a mask. Say hello rather than nod when the opportunity arises. Laugh out loud if the situation allows (but only behind a mask). Sing! Practice good sleep hygiene. Go to bed at a regular hour. Turn off devices. Entice sleep. Allow it to arrive. Anxiety can wreak havoc on our sleep.

Remember that crippling anxiety creates tunnel vision, and often puts us in a constant state of fight or flight. Try to tell yourself that its okay to let go of the struggle. You dont have to fight or flee. Find that little ember of hope within yourself and let it glow.

And this Thanksgiving, wherever you are, and however you celebrate, try to focus on that for which you are truly thankful. Happy Thanksgiving.

The Council on Aging and the Newton Department of Senior Services will host a seminar on Mental Health at 7 p.m. Dec. 1. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3kW9ppO. And remember that both the Newton Department of Senior Services and the Newton Department of Recreation offer a wide variety of exercise programs for people of all ages and abilities. See https://bit.ly/2J9B3Co and https://bit.ly/2Vb7tQ1.

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OPINION: The anxiety pandemic - Wicked Local

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Home » Exercise Programs » OPINION: The anxiety pandemic – Wicked Local