Anxiety about Covid-19
Most of those who get Covid-19 have mild problems. The disease is for the majority a respiratory tract infection and a number of different symptoms can occur. For example:
- cough
- fever
- cold
- sore throat
- headache
- nausea
- muscle and joint pain
Advice for managing your anxiety
When the answers are not clear and the information does not match, it can be difficult to manage your anxiety. What should you believe? At the Public Health Agency of Sweden you find the latest and also verified information about the corona virus. You should follow the authorities' recommendations.
- It is normal to feel fear and anxiety. It is even necessary for your survival. Accept that you are worried and do not suppress these feelings. All emotions are perfectly alright to feel. However, you can reduced your anxiety by talking to yourself in a calming way just as if you were talking to a friend or neighbour.
- Write down your thoughts about your anxiety and add words to what you are thinking. A thought is a thought, and everything you believe will not happen. Thoughts of disaster usually make you feel more scared and anxious. You often have to remind yourself of that.
- Try to focus on things other than your anxiety. Listen to music, exercise, go for walks, keep in touch with friends and family, as changing focus can make you feel better.
- Try to maintain good routines when it comes to sleep, exercise and food. Try to take care of yourself in the best possible way.
- Avoid using alcohol, drugs or tobacco to manage your anxiety.
- Think about how you have handled difficulties in the past, and what worked then and not. Use that experience to manage your anxiety.
- You can look for information that makes you aware of the spread of the corona virus, but always remember to be critical to the sources and be sure of using reliable sources. The search for information must not be exaggerated and if you feel that your anxiety is exacerbated by what your read, it is wise to reduce it.
- If you feel you can not control your anxiety - do not hesitate to tell someone. Maybe you have a friend or parent who has a calming effect? Avoid discussions that increase your anxiety.
If your anxiety becomes too great and affects your daily life, it is important to seek help. Please, contact your Health Centre or Student Health Service at the University of Skövde.
Student Health Service offers, for example, supportive conversations and counselling by a counsellor. It costs nothing to book an appointment at the Student Health Service. We are located in House E, floor 2. You can contact us for a telephone booking or advice via e-mail: studenthalsan@his.se
Dealing with Covid-19
- The Public Health Agency of Sweden - latest information on Covid-19
- Crisis information about Covid-19 in English and other languages
- Face Covid19 - A film about how to deal with the corona crisis effectively
- Life in quarantine - Listen to psychologist Johan Waara's advice on how to handle life in quarantine better.