Dealing with adult fear in frantic, fraught 2020

Adults of all ages and backgrounds experience difficulty managing fear and anxiety now and then, and in periods of uncertainty or crisis these concerns can magnify. Here are some pointers for coping from Dr. Sufna John of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences:

Treat the whole person: Physical and mental health are inextricably linked; when we feel good physically, we have a generally better outlook. Conversely, being constantly or unduly stressed takes a toll on our physical systems.

“Many things we do to take care of our bodies will help us with fear and anxiety, such as getting enough sleep and eating the best nutrition available to you,” John said. “Take an inventory of things you might have been doing before but stopped doing or were interrupted, maybe without realizing it. That could potentially have an impact on mental health.”

Connect: As human beings, we are naturally wired for connections and having strong relationships in life is essential to helping us cope with stress and anxiety. This has been a challenge in the era of increased social distancing, quarantine and working from home.

“Adults should ask themselves, ‘Am I finding ways to nurture relationships in my life in the middle of covid? Am I setting up phone calls with people I care about? Am I setting aside quality time within the workday?’” John said. “Not just Zoom meetings, but maybe Zoom lunches where we get together and socialize, something we haven’t been able to do in person.”

Trust your gut: Time was, feeling fear or anxiety was something to be toughed out or tucked away. Today, mental health is taken much more seriously and help is available for those who need it. Talk to your doctor about how you’re feeling to begin the process.

“There is no shame,” John said. “If you are having difficulty controlling your anxiety and worry, get help for it. We have so many treatments that, because of research done on thousands of people, we know work and can really help improve the quality of your life. Don’t deprive yourself of the opportunity to benefit from them.”