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Pandemic Anxiety Busters 

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Pandemic Anxiety Busters by Gibby Campbell

               We are well into the pandemic now, and I’m noticing more and more folks posting about how anxious they’ve become.  I thought I’d write an article on how to cope.  I actually teach this at the college level.

               Step 1 is to recognize what you’re feeling as normal.  You’re human, which means emotions happen.  When there’s a pandemic, and the world has gone crazy, emotions REALLY happen.

               Step 2 is to name them.  This is trickier than it sounds.  You know you’re anxious, but what are the underlying emotions?  Are you fearful, angry, grieving, depressed, or something else?

               Step 3 is probably the toughest.  It’s allowing yourself time to actually feel the emotion.  That means no stifling it, no ignoring it, no laughing it off, no distractions, etc.  Just sit and be with the feeling.  When you do that, they often go away in a hurry.

               Step 4 is when they don’t go away.  This is when full-on anxiety kicks in, and you’re just so overwhelmed.  At that point it helps to pull out your toolbox of coping strategies.  These are as diverse as the people who use them and can include the following:

  • Avoiding the news.

  • Shutting off social media.

  • Calling a friend.

  • Taking a walk.

  • Sitting somewhere in nature.

  • Taking a drive.

  • Cleaning something.

  • Cooking or baking.

  • Watching television or a movie.

  • Creating something.

  • Reading

               Since this is a publishing website, I’m going to focus on the last one.  You have to be careful what book you choose when anxious.  You don’t want to read something that is going to upset you even more.  Then again, some folks like to read emotionally charged plots to help release their emotions.  Only you know what works best for you.

Need a sweet storyline or escape to another time period or place? Give these authors a try:

LJ Dare, Alice Renaud, Viola Russell, Carol Schoenig, Jan Selbourne, Alan Souter

 Need a plot with some spice and angst? These writers really bring it:

Callie Carmen, Dee Knight, Lora Logan, Suzanne Smith

 Need intrigue and mystery to keep your mind guessing? Try these authors:

Patricia Elliott, Zia Westfield

 Need a good spank scene or erotica? These writers get the ‘job’ done:

Annabel Allan, Gibby Campbell, Keren Hughes, Julia McBryant, RM Olivia, Estelle Pettersen, Richard Savage

 The bottom line is, you’re not alone.  We’re all in shock at what has happened to our world and are coping as best we can.  Give yourself a break, and remember, this too shall pass.

You can see more on our  Amazon bookshelf

https://amzn.to/2SpNnSk

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15 Comments on “Pandemic Anxiety Busters ”

    • Great post Gibby! Wonderful advice on what to do when you feel overwhelmed. I, like Brit found myself baking but didn’t realize I was doing it because I was stressed. I very rarely cook. Lol. Good books definitely help. Thank you for the mention.

    • Really good blog Gibby. I agree, I think we have all had moments throughout this. I think we will all view things differently after this.

      • This is great advice and a post I want to share with my friends, other writers and readers. It really hit home and the tips are a great way to combat anxiety. Thank you!

        • This is blog could not be more timely! The stress of 2020 is at an all time high level. There is even a shortage of sertraline, a medication often prescribed for mental health. I love the simple suggestions that can significantly contribute to a calmness before requiring prescribed medications! Great blog article Gibby!

    • Brit, mine was more about cooking. In the winter I had big pots of soup or stew going on the stove. It got so bad, my husband requested we never eat soup again.

    • This was a nice reminder of things I can do (besides eat, lol) when I’m feeling stressed. Reading is a great escape, but you’re right about social media…it can lead to even more stress! The anxiety is manageable for me, so far, but I really feel for those who are dealing with excess stress right now.

  2. Wonderful blog Gibby. My number one go to is turning off the news. When I need to I leave it be for a week. At that point I can’t wait any longer to find out what is going on so I tune back in.
    Thank you.
    Callie

    • Dee, I tend to yell at the screen too. Our local news channel tends to run a lot of ‘feel-good’ stories, and I always tend to tune into those.
      Lately I’ve been snoozing a lot of folks on social media. I just discovered that option in the settings. It’s wonderful. Like shutting off a screamer in your face for 30 days.

  4. Great post, Gibby! When I try to fight anxiety it just makes it worse. Reading is my favorite stress buster, especially fantasy!

  5. I think more people are going to come out of this pandemic more understanding and accepting of those who struggle with anxiety on a daily basis. It’s the one positive I try to look at after living with it myself.

    Reading in a nice hot lavender bath is an amazing way to relax.

  6. Gibby, Your post has made me feel better already. Peering out of my bunker slits at the passing parade and mouthing epithets through my linen mask don’t cut it for an escape strategy. Cracking a book from my library of titles gathered before researching came to my computer screen, does the trick, especially at bedtime. Our middle daughter, Allison had a Chinese Elm in the back yard into which she climbed and vanished into her favorite book. You can learn from your kids. Nice blog–very classy.

  7. Gibby, Your post has made me feel better already. Peering out of my bunker slits at the passing parade and mouthing epithets through my linen mask don’t cut it for an escape strategy. Cracking a book from my library of titles gathered before researching came to my computer screen, does the trick, especially at bedtime. Our middle daughter, Allison had a Chinese Elm in the back yard into which she climbed and vanished into her favorite book. You can learn from your kids. Nice blog–very classy.

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