Social worker offers coping tips during coronavirus outbreak

A clinical social worker is offering tips on how to cope with heightened anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak.

News 12 Staff

Mar 9, 2020, 1:20 AM

Updated 1,601 days ago

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A clinical social worker is offering tips on how to cope with heightened anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak.
Veronica Vaiti is a clinical social worker and the Bhava Therapy Group co-founder.
She says it's the unknown about what may happen next that's driving people's minds wild.
"The anxiety of being in this holding pattern, this anxiety of 'I don't know,' the anxiety and the reality that our lives are in a state of uncertainty," she says,
Vaiti says there's no one solution to calm nerves for everyone, but she says there are things everyone can all try.
This includes diverting attention to calming thoughts and activities, deep breathing exercises, and practicing good self-care like managing diets, sleep and physical exercise.
"You need to understand what your body and your system needs to feel the safest and secure right now," she says.
There is only so much people can control during the outbreak like washing hands, covering mouths when coughing and avoiding mass gatherings.
"We are all in this together, and we're all going to find our own different ways of coping and trying to make sense of what's happening," she says.
When all else fails, Vaiti says it's best to rely on the old saying, 'this too shall pass.'
News 12 will host a 30-minute call-in show Monday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. where experts will answer your questions about the coronavirus. The show will be followed by a special Facebook Live Q&A.
PHOTOS:  The Impact of Coronavirus Around the World
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