Coronavirus Crisis Anxiety

During these unprecedented times, many of us are scrambling to figure out what to do next causing us undue anxiety. Unfortunately, everything has shut down! I say unfortunately, but it’s definitely for the best. It's for our safety. The schools have transferred the teaching responsibility over to the parents which is comical, to say the least.  Many parents are working from home while now teaching or entertaining the kids all at the same time and this can make it extremely difficult for many of us to find a new rhythm, a new routine.

My suggestion to you is to STAY CALM! Trouble doesn’t last always. Try to focus on staying in contact with those that you love, this will calm your worrying mind. Make sure that you’re connecting with your family and your friends as often as possible. For the people that you are most concerned about you should call them daily. Make sure that your loved ones are being safe as well. Also, respect social distancing to protect yourself while running essential errands.  Try to stock up on non-perishable items and as many staples you can fit in your refrigerator and freezer. Unfortunately, it may be a bit challenging to stock up. It seems that had we realized sooner or had been warned that trouble was coming we could have put away a little bit more. The nation has succumbed to panic causing a nationwide shortage of supplies; food and toilet paper. I believe it would be best for you to get as much credible information as you can. Facts defeat fear! Anxiety is just a fancy way of sugar-coating fear. But I am a believer in the fact that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind(II Timothy 1:7). So, I urge you to find your footing in your faith. When you feel anxious, talk to God. The Holy Spirit will calm you. Remember, and say to yourself "He clothes the lilies and the grass of the fields and feeds the fowl of the air I KNOW He will take care of me. No evil will befall me and no plague shall come near my dwelling." Psalm 91. 

Keep in mind, faith without works is dead. Therefore, work on boosting your immune system. Take vitamins, eat vegetables. Prepare a chicken soup with plenty of broth. Plenty of water drinking is recommended to combat a number of health concerns but is always excellent at just encouraging optimal health. Stay at home. Respect social distancing. Clean items purchased with a disinfectant cloth, alcohol sanitizer, etc., before you put them away. Wash your hands frequently especially when returning home. Disinfect doorknobs and light switches. Use a hand sanitizer as soon as you enter your vehicle or after coming out of any public space. Wear a mask of some sort. The coronavirus spreads like other viruses that cause common respiratory illnesses such as the flu, that are excreted by coughing sneezing and also breathing. The virus can’t be seen and not enough people are being tested so no one knows who is carrying the virus. It can live on surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to three days. Be advised that certain people are at higher risk such as older adults and those who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, likes asthma. You must avoid touching your face or surfaces. Surface contact with germs, in general, can occur when the droplets from coughing or sneezing settle out of the air. Meaning that things like doorknobs, counters, keyboards or frequently touched objects can be sources of exposure. It is so important to use your hand sanitizer often. If someone is coughing or sneezing, they should cover their mouths with a tissue, a cloth or a bent elbow. If someone is ill, they should not go anywhere and avoid others. Even those in the same house. Protect yourself and your loved ones. However, everyone should avoid large crowds and mass public gatherings. That is any gathering of more than 10 people that can’t be avoided. This is a perfect time to use FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Duo, or any video or remote meeting technology that you find useful.  It will help to ease your troubled mind and keep you safe.

Please be aware that many people suffer from anxiety disorders yet have never been diagnosed. They are living their daily lives feeling anxious and nervous and blaming it on all sorts of things like medication or just their condition or circumstances. Protect yourself and protect your mental health. Not only should you protect yourself from people that are potential carriers of germs like the virus but protect yourself from people that are spreading panic and mass hysteria, they are anxious themselves. Anxiety is contagious. It is said that we unconsciously look to others to get clues of how we should behave or react in certain situations. If they panic, we panic! Be careful where you get your information from. There are news outlets that blur or even exaggerate the facts. This is an unprecedented time and alternative facts only cause more panic. When you need more information you can trust, go to www.coronavirus.gov. If you need help or need to talk to someone, please do. Get the help you need.

So, let’s be honest, it’s more than just the virus that is causing your anxiety right now. From the looks of the economy, we are facing a recession. And your mind is wandering and you are wondering if your money is straight. Have you saved enough? How much should you have saved? Protect yourself during this time. If money is a problem see which bills you can put on hold. If you have experienced a decrease in income be sure to express this with your creditors. Before you begin, make a list of all your creditors. Find out exactly how much you owe them, and when the amount needs to be paid, then call your creditors and let them know that you have been impacted by the pandemic and need to request a temporary suspension of payment. Ask them what can be done to help you. What type of assistance is available? Get the name and ID number, as well as, any extension number of the person you are speaking to from each company. Find out how much, if any, will be or can be forgiven and when will you be required to resume payments. Be sure to ask how much will be required when the payments start again. If the company says that they are not able to give you an extension be sure to call back the next day or maybe even a few days after the original call. Many companies are changing their policies because this is a worldwide crisis. You want to be sure that you are given the maximum allowable extension and be clear what will happen after that time has ended. You may be able to call back and do this again, requesting an additional extension if need be. Be sure to get the agreement in writing, by email and US mail. Please remember to be patient and be kind. Many of the people that you are speaking to are going through these challenges as well. And they are dealing with many people, seeing as though we are all being impacted by this crisis. You may have to ask for a manager if the person you originally speak to is unable to grant you an extension.

People are losing their jobs, the market is crashing, people don’t know what is going to happen with their retirement funds. Anxiety creeps in again. But financial expert Suze Orman, as well as other financial advisors, say it is best to stay focused on your long-term financial goals. You should check your savings account, your 401k, any other Investments that you may have. Leave your money in the stock market, leave it in the 401k. You will gain more in the long run, 10, 20, 30 years from now. It will recover. This too will pass! You will not make it all back right away but you will recover as long as you don’t panic. Thankfully there are already gains in the stock market so the focus now is on rebuilding. And if you are not in the market this is actually an excellent time to start investing. Suze Orman says "fortunes are going to be made out of this time. Stock prices are really low, meaning it’s a great time to buy them. Since you will never know the bottom and you will never know the top of the market we need to stay calm, keep our money where it is." It may be best to keep your eye off of it most of the time and just wait for it to recover. It will!  Especially if your retirement is years and years off, you have time, you will begin to see your money recover as well as profit or gain in about 3 years.

If you still have money coming in then you should try to put more money into your emergency savings. If you don’t have emergency savings now is the best time to start it. Cut out any unnecessary and excessive spending. You should be saving money simply because we can’t go anywhere. lbs. It’s harder to spend frivolously when you can’t leave the house. Make sure you are controlling online spending as well. We are spending a lot of time on the internet. Don’t get caught up in buying unnecessary things online. We don’t want this time inside to lead to other issues. Be mindful of your spending. If the purchase can wait then definitely make it wait. It's ok to have a credit card for emergency backup. Does it have cashback rewards? Your Stimulus check should be coming soon. Plan out how you need to use it. Do you have other streams of income? It's a good time to consider a side hustle to generate more money for now and in the future. Financial gurus suggest having 7 streams of income. Do you? If you are in need of immediate help you should contact your local city and state institutions, food banks and churches. There is help if you need it.

Dr. Patricia Thornton said, “the coronavirus is a real threat, we all need to be safe. Embrace uncertainty knowing we can’t do everything and move on within the confines of what the new normal is.” Stick to your normal routine as much as possible. While you’re at home are you going to bed at the same time and getting up in the morning at about the same time? What is it that you do to relax? Read a book, play a game, take a bath? Find your happy place and indulge? LOL. Find a distraction. Complete a project you couldn’t find time for. Organize your closet or drawers. Entertain yourself. Try Kindle Unlimited, you can download 10 e-books at a time. Take an online course. Netflix! This is a great time to find some fantasy or good comedy shows to laugh at. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs. 17:22. No need for Doom and Gloom. When I’m looking for a good laugh, I like to see Katt Williams do stand up, Dave Chappelle, or even some old Bernie Mac. I’m looking for a movie that will have me holding my side laughing. I want Eddie Murphy movies, like Harlem Nights, Boomerang or Coming to America. I also crack up watching Talladega Nights and Tropic Thunder, or maybe The Sweetest Thing. But those are just some of the ones that I like. Find what it is that really makes you laugh. When you find yourself being consumed by the state of the world look to these. It can be a lot of weight on your shoulders when you’re trying to make sure that your family is safe, has food to eat, and enough tissue paper to last through shelter in home orders and self-quarantine. I'm going to get my favorite glass of wine (Shiraz, if you were interested), a Kindle book, my Body Souffle’ Lavender Peace Kiini Candle, and take a relaxing warm bath in Body Souffle' Serene Bath Salts. and CHILL!!! Anxiety!? NO MORE!

I pray God keeps a surrounding hedge of protection, favor, and wisdom around you and your family. I come against the spirit of fear, I cast it out! I believe and declare that all your spiritual, physical, financial and emotional needs are continuously met by the Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

As another Married Mom and Mogul, we can handle all the things, together! Be Safe, Be Blessed and Be Beautiful, Because somebody's watching you!