My partner has anxiety because of COVID -19
Everyone seems to be talking about the same thing right now, the pandemic of COVID -19. It is understandable that with all the media coverage this is getting, people are on high alert. Some of our loved ones might be going through a tough time because of this, with anxiety levels reaching their peak. Everyone’s reaction to a stressful situation of this kind is different, and not everyone can manage to keep themselves calm.
People who may already be struggling with mental health issues, or have some debilitating physical condition, may have a stronger negative response to the crisis (“Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”, 2020). Seeing our loved ones so worried and struggling to cope at this time can start to worry us as well. But there are ways that we can make it easier for them.
What if your
partner is feeling overwhelmed and is finding it hard to cope? Your
partner may be worrying about any of their loved ones possibly getting infected,
or that they might lose their job because of the crisis, struggle financially or
even have to face the death of someone they know and love. All this includes also
the fear that they themselves might get infected with the virus if they aren’t
careful.
If your partner is struggling with anxiety during this stressful time of
uncertainty, here are a few things that you can do to ease their worries and
help them feel reassured:
– Make sure that both of you are taking
the correct precautionary measures to stay safe, such as washing your hands
regularly , using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and coughing and sneezing
into your elbows or a tissue (Rational
use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease 2019, 2020).
– Practice social distancing as a couple. This means that you limit your
exposure to places where there tends to be a lot of people in a small space
such as public transport, parties etc. (“Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”, 2020).
– Try to encourage your partner to limit their exposure to the media at this
time, be it TV, social networks and the radio. This is not to mean you should
not stay informed, but limiting exposure can help to calm the mind and limit
the amount of negative news one hears on a daily basis (“Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”, 2020).
– Spend time together doing something you both love to relieve stress and keep
your partner’s mind off what is going on. You can cook a meal together, go for
a walk in an open-area, watch a comedy to lighten the mood, and many other activities
you can do as a couple.
– Remind your partner of the importance of self-care, both physically and
mentally. Exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep are all important
aspects of self-care that should be maintained throughout the present
situation, even if one finds themselves in quarantine.
– Be there to support your partner and allow them to open up to you about their
concerns and worry. Be a listening ear and make sure that they feel they are
not alone in this.
References:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Retrieved 13 March 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/coping.html.
World Health Organization. (2020). Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease 2019 [Ebook] (p. 1). Retrieved 13 March 2020, from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/infection-prevention-and-control.
Becky Faenza is one of the Triage Officers that form part of the Triage Team with Willingness. She is a University graduate, with a B.A Degree in Philosophy and Psychology, and also a Higher Diploma in Psychology (H.DIP).
