Focus on the facts and what you can control. Avoid catastrophizing.
When it comes to the coronavirus outbreak, "try not to catastrophize," said counselor Stephanie Wijkstrom, MS, LPC, NCC, founder of Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh. "Keep in mind that not every sneeze is coronavirus, and recovery for our bodies and civilization is much more than likely, so do your best to remind yourself and others of this reality."
It's easy to get stressed and anxious about the scale of the outbreak, and to feel powerless when you're scrolling through scary headlines. Accept those feelings — they're normal! Then, said Jaime Zuckerman, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist in Philadelphia, "focus on what you can control: washing your hands, practicing social distancing, and following other CDC guidelines.
