Check out apps that aim to ease anxiety

Anytime you are experiencing something new, it can feel unreal — especially if unexpected. Our pattern is to eventually begin to make adjustments, but even then, the unreality of it still creeps in.

A friend of mine who was adjusting to being a cancer patient described the new routine of her days — chemo, taking care of her kids, trying to eat, trying to sleep. She described her strategies for handling all the changes and challenges, but then she added, “While I think I am dealing fairly well with the tangible changes in my life and adjusting to my diagnosis, I still have this feeling that I'll wake up and find this is all a horrible dream.”

Most of us can relate to this as we face the reality of COVID-19 and the interruption of our ordinary routines that resulted in drastic changes.

While we are trying to adjust, I suspect the reality is we still think of the changes as temporary and, like my friend, we hope we'll wake up and find it is a horrible dream. We long for the way it was before we had to self-quarantine, social distance, wear masks, be hyperaware of hand washing and disinfecting, and spend time with family members 24/7.

These changes are stressful. So, what can help? Download an app!

Listed in the July 27 edition of The Oklahoman was a list of apps that can be downloaded onto your mobile phone. They can ease your anxiety, and most are free. They are all a little different so check them out. ReachOut Breathe, Self-Help for Anxiety Management, Sanvello, MoodMission, Aura, PTSD Coach, What's up? and Breathe2Relax. Two others I hear a lot about are HeadSpace and CALM.

I suggest every member of the family find one they like. Can't hurt. Might help.