How Not to Get Overwhelmed By the COVID-19 Pandemic

First, I advise you to turn off the T.V. for a while and read our article on how the media is in our opinion purposely trying to insight fear and hysteria; take a look at the actual numbers and your actual chances of becoming infected.

Second, if you must look at the news, try to have a dedicated time once a day to update yourself on what’s going on and limit your exposure to the mainstream media who tends to blow everything out of proportion.

Remember, these people have no real interest in helping you; they are in it for the ratings and to push their bullshit political ideologies – on both sides! Crisis after crisis they are get caught exaggerating things or downright lying so keep that in mind when listening to their dire warnings!

I’m not going to stray too far of course here, but I want to include this one video to put things into perspective when listening to the media. Keep in mind that what you are being presented on T.V. is not always reality. On T.V. they are showing you the reporter in full hazmat gear, but take a look at the cameraman (the guy they don’t show you).

Here’s a #MediaPest conning the public with clear overreaction to the current pandemic. You’ll notice his cameraman is not “wrapped in cellophane.” #FakeNews pic.twitter.com/KtHC3FImFD

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) March 20, 2020

Does the reporter really need to be in hazmat gear, or are they stocking hysteria and pushing an agenda? We are not downplaying the crisis; we are just simply pointing out that the media likes to push fear and hysteria and is routinely caught doing bullshit like this during every crisis they cover.

Third, we wanted to give you a list of books and resources for dealing with anxiety, worry, fear, and stress during times of crisis.

The Top Books on Anxiety, Worry, and Fear

I know most bookstores are probably closed, but many of these books will still be available for shipment on Amazon or as a download on the Kindle App. The last book on the list comes as a recommendation from numerous readers on this site (I have not read it myself, but a lot of people have said it helps), but the first two, I have personally read and I can tell you there are no better books out there on the subject.

The thing I like about the first two books is that they have stood the test of time and include stories and strategies that are applicable to the current situation that we all find ourselves in.

1. Self Help for Your Nerves a.k.a. Hope and Help for Your Nerves Dr. Claire Weekes wrote what is considered by most people who suffer from anxiety as the most important book ever written on dealing with worry, panic, and fear.
2. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by author Dale Carnegie is another classic book filled with real-life examples of how people got through serious times of crisis and how they managed their fears. It has some of the best advice on dealing with fear and worries ever written, and it contains examples and stories of people who went through far worse that what we are all going through at the moment and how they conquered their fears during the crisis.
3. Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World: A Christian’s take on dealing with the uncertainty and chaos of life that keeps you up at night. Anxious for Nothing, is a study on Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Our Top Articles on Stress during Times of Crisis:

• COVID-19: Media Hysteria, Global Panic, and a Rational Look at the Actual Numbers
• Mindful Preparation: Surviving Traumatic Events starts with Developing the Right Mindset
• Preparedness & Fear: Prepping without giving into Fear
• Disaster-Related PTSD: How to Recover from Disasters and Traumatic Events

Start Working Out: Preferably with a Workout Routine

When it comes to relieving stress, working out is scientifically proven to help your body, your metabolism, your heart, and most importantly right now: your spirits! The mental benefits of exercise are numerous, and from a medical standpoint we know that exercise lowers levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It can also release your body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.

While any workout can help relieve stress, during times of crisis it’s even more important to have a routine. Routine and schedule are two things that can make you feel normal when everything else feels like it’s spinning out of control.

• Check out our favorite home workout routines here.

Don’t Take Entertainment for Granted

During times of crisis, it’s important to keep our minds fresh and our attitudes positive. Take this time to enjoy your family, catch up with friends online, blast your favorite music, or binge-watch those shows that you couldn’t watch when you were busy with work.

• Download Spotify: It has an advertising-supported option which allows you to make playlists, find new music and listen to pretty much every song that’s out there.
• Stock up on Good Old Fashion Board Games: Not only can this help you keep your mind fresh and healthy, but it can also help your entire family come closer and during this crisis, you can build memories that you will never forget. Remember, if you have kids, they are taking all of this in so you want to make your environment as healthy as possible and shield them from as much of this garbage as possible!
• Let your Kids Play those video games and join them! Normally we would never recommend this, but these are not normal times… As millions of American parents try to figure out how to homeschool for the first time in their life, don’t get overwhelmed with the details. The most important thing right now is to make sure your kids are happy; you can figure out the details later. But, for those who are trying to figure out the homeschool thing, here is our homeschooling resource page.
• Get Lost in a Book: Amazon has thousands of completely free books and classics that you can download to your Kindle App. All you need is an iPad, an Amazon Kindle or Fire Tablet and the Free Kindle App. They also have subscriptions similar to Netflix that let you download unlimited books and audio books – You can get a Free 30-day Trial Here.