MANAGING ANXIETY: CORONAVIRUS FEARS & CONCERNS
Updated: 3/27/2020
| cigna-managing_anxiety_-_coronavirus_fears_and_concerns_handouts.pdf |
Attached is a PDF file with great information on ways to manage our fears in the midst of this pandemic.
Particular take-aways related to our keiki:
Kids today are as exposed to the news cycle as adults are, but they have less life experience to interpret what they’re seeing and hearing. Your job isn’t to shelter them from the news; it’s to help them understand and process it. Children of all ages want reassurance that their family will be safe.
If children have fears, give them honest information at a level they can understand. You don’t need to explain everything about the virus and risk. Give them only as much information as they request. Encourage your children to talk to you about their thoughts and feelings. Listen to their concerns, and then reassure them. Explain that there are steps that everyone can take to protect themselves. Limit your child’s exposure to news reports. Seeing repeated coverage can be disturbing. It can be helpful to watch the news with your child and discuss it afterwards.
We have to walk a fine line between awareness and fear. Try to keep your thoughts in sync with what is actually happening, not what your worst fears may be. Understand that national and international health organizations are working diligently to understand the risks and keep the public safe.
Particular take-aways related to our keiki:
Kids today are as exposed to the news cycle as adults are, but they have less life experience to interpret what they’re seeing and hearing. Your job isn’t to shelter them from the news; it’s to help them understand and process it. Children of all ages want reassurance that their family will be safe.
If children have fears, give them honest information at a level they can understand. You don’t need to explain everything about the virus and risk. Give them only as much information as they request. Encourage your children to talk to you about their thoughts and feelings. Listen to their concerns, and then reassure them. Explain that there are steps that everyone can take to protect themselves. Limit your child’s exposure to news reports. Seeing repeated coverage can be disturbing. It can be helpful to watch the news with your child and discuss it afterwards.
We have to walk a fine line between awareness and fear. Try to keep your thoughts in sync with what is actually happening, not what your worst fears may be. Understand that national and international health organizations are working diligently to understand the risks and keep the public safe.
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