Maintaining Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Wellbeing Wheel - 9 Dimensions of Wellness
Wellbeing Wheel

There is a lot going on in the world right now, and there is uncertainty about the future. The COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic has many of us on edge and unsure about how best to prepare and proceed. All nine dimensions of wellbeing can potentially be impacted by our experiences with and reactions to this unsettling set of circumstances. Taking care of yourself and others is always important and it is even more so during challenging times!

10 Tips to Navigate Stress and Anxiety

Here are 10 Tips that may help you better navigate the stress and anxiety associated with the virus and the consequences of the containment efforts:

  1. Seek out accurate information that helps you feel informed, but not overwhelmed. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers great information on protecting yourself and your family, what to do if you think you are sick, and how to manage stress and anxiety! For the most current information related to Maricopa Community Colleges and COVID-19, visit the Maricopa Coronavirus website.
  2. Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage.
  3. Engage in the healthy activities and habits that reduce stress and increase wellbeing under all circumstances. Prioritize getting a healthy amount of sleep, eating well, avoiding alcohol, and moving or exercising regularly.
  4. Add extra time into your daily schedule for stress relief and self-care.
  5. Avoid crowds, but keep in contact with your loved ones via social media, texts and phone calls.
  6. Don’t underestimate human resiliency. Research shows that people tend to overestimate how badly they’ll be affected by negative events and underestimate how well they’ll cope with and adjust to difficult situations. Be mindful that you are more resilient than you think. It can help reduce your stress and anxiety levels!
  7. If you have kids, let them talk about their worries and share your coping skills with them.
  8. If you do have to stay home from work or are quarantined, be sure to create and maintain a routine.
  9. If you are a student whose classes have been affected (for example, all instruction moving to online), be sure to check your email and Canvas as regularly as possible to stay connected and informed!
  10. Ask questions if you have them! These changes can be overwhelming and your instructors are here to help you, but we need to know when you aren’t sure about something.
  11. Don’t forget to be kind and compassionate to others. This is always important, but especially when times are challenging and scary, like they are right now.

Additional Resources and Information