Focus on Your Behaviors to Relieve COVID-19 Anxiety BY SANFORD HEALTH
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f you’re feeling fearful or anxious about the coronavirus pandemic, that’s natural. “It’s how we’re hard-wired,” says Sanford Health licensed psychologist Jon Ulven, PhD. A situation that’s “novel, uncertain and potentially threatening gives us a heightened amount of focus,” he explains. While fear is normal, Dr. Ulven says we should let wisdom and logic guide our behavior. Because we have more control over our behavior and our thoughts than we do over our feelings, evaluate how your health behaviors might affect your risk for acquiring COVID-19 and transmitting it to others.
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PARENTING & PREGNANCY
• Ask yourself — and be really honest: how often do you actually wash your hands? Use your answer to examine whether your hand-washing technique is adequate. • Consider how often you touch your face. The virus can enter through the eyes, nose and mouth. Reducing face touching will help decrease your risk. • Answer honestly: Am I in the higher risk category now? If you are, decide what you’re willing to do to protect yourself and others. • Keep proper perspective throughout the pandemic. In the big picture, humankind will survive this and come away stronger. • Be careful how and when you consume news. “Increased news coverage doesn’t always mean increased threats,” Dr. Ulven says.
