Help in Managing Stress, Worry, and Fear

Are you feeling worried? Threat of severe flu outbreak can become a stressful event, so it’s very important that you receive timely, accurate information that enables you to care for yourself and your loved ones. Preparedness and awareness helps us all to respond appropriately and help each other through what could be an anxious time.
 
Nonetheless, if left unchecked, daily news meant to alert you can also create stress, worry, and fear. During times like this, it is normal to experience the following:

• Pre-occupation with the “news” to the point where you cease your normal routine
• Increased anxiety, irritability, or impatience
• Change in sleep and appetite
• Inability to concentrate on what you are doing

However, some people may experience more severe stress reactions, particularly if the flu outbreak intensifies. Worry, fear, and anxiety can make us feel physically sick, including nausea, stomachache, trembling, shaking, and sweating. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is very important that you check in with your medical provider to assess your health status.

Tips for Coping with the Stress of a Public Health Situation

• Continue routines for yourself and your family, such as regular meals, bedtimes and exercise.
• Keep busy. Focus on day-to-day plans.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol. These can make you less alert and can cause serious health problems.
• Stay connected with friends and family. Reach out to people by phone, e-mail, text, and twitter.
• Listen to the television or radio for health and safety information. Don’t spend every waking moment listening – balance your need to know with routine and enjoyable activities.
• If you feel scared or overwhelmed, talk with someone about your feelings. This can reduce your stress and help you feel less lonely.

How can I help my child to cope?

• Talk about your own feelings clearly and calmly; explain to your child that people can experience different feelings and these are all a normal response to stress.
• Provide information that your child can understand at an age-appropriate level.
• Tell your child that you will do everything you can to keep him/her safe.
• Help your child to keep in touch with friends by phone and e-mail.
• Encourage children to draw pictures, color, paint, or use clay. Art work can help children to express their feelings.
• Hold and hug your child often, reassuring and comforting.
• Maintain your child’s routine --- laugh and play.
• Teach your child things he/she can do for protection from spreading germs, such as hand washing and coughing into his/her sleeve.

Recovery

• Remember that stress reactions are NORMAL responses to uncommon events. For most people, these reactions will go away in time.
• Talk to someone about your feelings.
• Find fun and relaxing activities for yourself, your friends, and your family.
• Get in a routine; healthy routines create (or re-create) stability in our lives.
• Exercise and get regular rest.
• If your stressful symptoms persist, call your local community mental health center for assistance.

For periodic alerts and recommendations as the outbreak progresses, please refer to the Kansas Department of Health & Environment website: www.kdheks.gov or the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.