The fear of a pandemic can have severe effects on mental health and ultimately lead to impulsive decisions affecting both ourselves and others. How can we manage panic and start to view the world more positively? There are many expert recommendations for overcoming fear and fostering hope.

Understand the Facts
Amidst the vast amount of information online, it is essential to avoid emotionally charged content and seek information from factual sources, which can help reduce speculation due to a lack of information. Regularly take time to reflect on various matters, which will help you see reality more clearly. As Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of New York, expressed hope when he observed a decline in death and hospitalization rates, believing that the U.S. has passed the peak of the coronavirus outbreak.

Stop Disparaging and Blaming Others
Signs of contempt and disdain for others indicate a state of mental panic. We have seen racial discrimination against Asians occurring in many parts of the world or public fear when someone coughs. Remember that we are all facing the same crisis, and this issue is not about any one person but concerns all of us.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Many people are in difficult situations, and many are ready to help. Don’t think that we can solve problems on our own if they are not our area of expertise. Therefore, if issues arise, seek help from those around you, whether they are acquaintances or community members.

Distance but Not Disconnection
Social distancing forces us to lack interaction with those around us, which can increase anxiety and lead to imagining worse scenarios. Talking with friends or family through various channels can help alleviate worries by exchanging advice or comforting one another. For example, New Zealand's campaign, Getting Through Together, with the slogan Distance, not Distant, provides useful content for mental and physical health and creates a space for people to share ideas and positive thoughts to help navigate this challenging crisis.

Having a positive outlook is good, but “cautious optimism” means facing the truth with courage, viewing situations with hope that we will get through them. At the same time, we must live mindfully and not let fear dominate us.

Image Source: Sincerely Media/Unsplash

Source: Article “10 Ways to Ease Your Coronavirus Anxiety” by Simran Sethi from nytimes.com,
Article “Getting Through Together” from allright.org.nz
Article “New York Governor sounds optimistic note as coronavirus numbers improve” by Maria Caspani, Nathan Layne from reuters.com

Written by: Nopakorn Kanwai

SOURCE: www.tcdc.or.th