Don't Worry Too Much, Here Are 3 Tips To Overcome Anxiety In The Emergence Of The Omicron Variant

Anxiety Illustration (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Not enough for Delta, a new variant of COVID-19, namely Omicron, has appeared, causing some people to be in a state of uncertainty and prolonged anxiety.

“The emergence of the Omicron variant can cause anxiety and fear among people. Uncertainty about the present and the future can affect a person's coping mechanisms," said a psychologist from Dharamshila Narayana Superspecialty Hospital, New Delhi, Dr. Neha Dutt as quoted by the Indian Express, Monday.

According to a psychiatrist from Narayana Superspeciality, Hospital, Gurugram Dr. Rahul Rai Kakkar, every new and unexpected transformation in a situation or environment brings discomfort and affects a person's behavior patterns.

"This may reflect increased stress, irritability, substance abuse, anxiety problems, disturbed sleep patterns, and others," she said.

Therefore, it is very important to keep negative thoughts, anxiety, and other mental health problems away. You are advised to make yourself meaningfully involved with work, recreation, doing hobbies, staying connected with family and friends at the same time maintaining all necessary precautions.

If you're worried about all the developments regarding the Omicron variant, here are some tips from Kakkar:

1. Sleeping Pattern

Maintain a fixed time to sleep and wake up, avoid naps, avoid caffeine intake after 5 p.m., stop exposure to screens or phone use before bedtime, don't eat heavy meals at night, and don't drink water before bed.

2. Time management

Set smart goals, double to-do lists, set deadlines, prioritize your tasks, take controlled breaks and practice a routine.

3. Diversion

Distract yourself when you are very stressed. For example, count down from 20 to 10, figure out how to reduce distractions while you are doing a highly concentrated job, try to do regular physical exercise, and limit exposure to the news as much as possible.

You can limit reading news to updates, up to two times a day.

“Sometimes, it is difficult to get out of the loop of your own thought process, which is why it is advisable to take professional help. Having mental health issues is not a sign of weakness, ask for help. It's a sign of strength," Kakkar suggested.