Coronavirus Letter to the Editor
I am pleased to share with you my Letter to the Editor that was published in the New York Times about how to stay mentally healthy during the Coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to what everyone knows about hand washing and social distancing to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, here are suggestions to help deal with stress associated with this pandemic.
Social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation. People can reach out to friends and family, talk and connect via phone or FaceTime.
Consider reaching out to neighbors who may need help. If they are in a high-risk population, they may need someone to go to the store for them or help out in other ways. Simple acts like these can go a long way to make everyone feel better.
Consume the news in moderation. While it is important to stay informed, too much information adds to our stress levels. The repetitive nature of the news cycle is not good for mental health. After receiving necessary information, people should consider turning off the news and reading a book or watching a television show or feel-good movie.
Most important, know that being anxious at this time is a completely normal response to stress. Should the stress begin to affect your ability to function, you should seek professional help.
Jeffrey Borenstein
New York
The writer is president and chief executive of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
I hope that you and your family stay safe and well during this challenging time. I very much appreciate your ongoing support.
Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D.
President & CEO
