Tech Talk Tuesdays: Anxiety and Information Overload

And try not to be stuck to your phone or TV. “We don’t like uncertainty, so staying rooted in routines and predictability is going to be helpful right now,” advises Dr. Domingues. This is particularly important if your child’s school or daycare shuts down. Make sure you are taking care of the basics just like you would during a spring break or summer vacation. Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of keeping kids happy and healthy.
Let us know how you are dealing with stress and anxiety around COVID-19 at info@milfordprevention.org

And try not to be stuck to your phone or TV. “We don’t like uncertainty, so staying rooted in routines and predictability is going to be helpful right now,” advises Dr. Domingues. This is particularly important if your child’s school or daycare shuts down. Make sure you are taking care of the basics just like you would during a spring break or summer vacation. Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of keeping kids happy and healthy.
Let us know how you are dealing with stress and anxiety around COVID-19 at info@milfordprevention.org

Let’s face it, we’re living during a time when you can’t turn around without facing some breaking news. We’re tied to our screens in an age of information overload. It’s no wonder that 18.1% of the population reports symptoms of diagnosable depression and anxiety and 31.9% of adolescents have an anxiety disorder.

As cases of COVID-19 increase, and we are constantly flooded with information about the epidemic, many people are feeling more anxious than normal. Kids are hearing about it from friends on the playgrounds and even when we leave our tv’s on as backgrounds noise. So how do we help our kids to reduce stress and anxiety during this moment?

Elissa Epel, PhD, who studies stress at the University of California, San Francisco, writes about the difference between anxiety and panic, and steps you can take to prevent panic and be prepared. Anxiety is normal, since it makes you prepare for something new, but panic is dangerous and harmful to your entire system. When we live in a constant panic, our adrenal system runs on overload and we cannot escape the feeling of “fight of flight”. We need that feeling to resolve if we want to be productive and take action. We can stress our bodies to the point of exhaustion and create emotion contagion which can influence our children to feel the panic we feel without knowing it.

“The good news about the widespread anxiety is that it is fueling big changes fast—many people in affected areas are being very careful to limit exposure. Anxiety fosters prevention and safeguarding behaviors. Prevention reduces anxiety,” said Epel.

“However, when threats are uncertain, such as the current coronavirus situation, our anxious minds can easily overestimate the actual threat and underestimate our ability to cope with it.” Epel noted that people with pre-existing anxiety conditions are particularly vulnerable.

Our kids will have questions about COVID-19 so here are some tips for talking with them about the disease and how we can relieve stress and anxiety around it.

1. Limit media exposure and stick with reliable sources.

Focusing on catastrophic thoughts and predictions, especially given the examples on social media and some news sources, can fuel panicky feelings. If you stick to reliable sources of coronavirus information such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - you can get the information you need without the commentary. Be informed about the key safety precautions, and be supportive to others, helping them think more calmly about it.

2. Reduce information anxiety by reducing your risk of exposure.

“Don’t feel silly or embarrassed about taking reasonable precautions,” said Epel. For example, follow the safety advice from the CDC, such as frequent handwashing; stay home if you don’t feel well; get enough sleep and take good care of your immune system. “Preparing a plan for the future, such as minimizing exposure to large crowds, makes sense and can help reduce anxiety,” said Epel. Consider what helps you most, such as taking a walk in nature, meditating, exercising, or talking to a friend. “Make time to step back from screens, and make sure to connect with people about things other than just this issue,” said Epel.

3. Focus on what you’re doing to stay safe - and find information that promotes healthy behaviors.

An important way to reassure kids is to emphasize the safety precautions that you are taking. Jamie Howard, PhD, a child psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, notes, “Kids feel empowered when they know what to do to keep themselves safe.” We know that the coronavirus is transmitted mostly by coughing and touching surfaces. The CDC recommends thoroughly washing your hands as the primary means of staying healthy. So remind kids that they are taking care of themselves by washing their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (or the length of two “Happy Birthday” songs) when they come in from outside, before they eat, and after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom.

4. Stick to a routine.

And try not to be stuck to your phone or TV. “We don’t like uncertainty, so staying rooted in routines and predictability is going to be helpful right now,” advises Dr. Domingues. This is particularly important if your child’s school or daycare shuts down. Make sure you are taking care of the basics just like you would during a spring break or summer vacation. Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of keeping kids happy and healthy.

Let us know how you are dealing with stress and anxiety around COVID-19 at info@milfordprevention.org