How to make mental health a concern throughout the coronavirus pandemic

With the spread of COVID-19, a strain of the coronavirus, around the world, numerous sports leagues have actually held off, suspended or canceled competitions, games and other events. As many professional athletes, coaches, sports fans and others process the truth of no sports for the next few months due to the fact that of the spread of COVID-19, this unmatched time can trigger frustrating fear, stress and anxiety and stress.

ESPN consulted with Rebecca Colasanto, LCSW, the system director of behavioral health for Bristol Health, about how to manage and react to the anxiety and stress that feature these uncommon times.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

ESPN: What are a few of the essential things to keep in mind when it pertains to mental health and the unknowns of this pandemic?

Rebecca Colasanto: I believe staying grounded and truly being self-aware is really crucial for everybody. Focusing on things that we have control over and listening to whatever rules are being put in place for our own security is important and not minimizing the threat but likewise not overreacting to the danger.

So is figuring out how to manage our own anxiety. How do we do that when anything is going on the planet that’s disturbing? In some cases limiting our immediate direct exposure can be valuable. Not to state someone must isolate from the news or the world news, however that we must bear in mind just how much media exposure we’re getting. Too much exposure can actually increase symptoms of anxiety. It’s frustrating.

ESPN: For a lot of expert, college and youth professional athletes, this has been a really jarring time with the cancellation and postponement of sporting events and seasons. How can professional athletes try to keep a great mindset during this time?

Colasanto: Being suddenly gotten rid of from anything that you were frequently doing in your life, whether it be your profession as an athlete or if you work as a medical professional or nurse, if anyone says, “You can’t do this any longer, go home,” it’s a piece of your identity, and it’s a piece of your nurturing regimen. For athletes of all levels, training, practices, games fill the bulk of their time. These schedules use consistency. For some, it’s contentment. It’s what they’re utilized to. It assists them feel better because routines assist individuals feel excellent. Not only do they have to experience possibly the different feelings as if you were grieving the loss of an enjoyed one, they’re also having to develop a schedule beyond what they’re used to and from home.

Keeping an excellent frame of mind actually will need to trigger people to produce a schedule beyond their usual. Again, individuals can stay physically active at home and continue to follow healthy consuming and sleeping and all those other foundational self-care basics that they would require to if they were still in the game, so to speak.

ESPN: What are some strategies to handling this stress and anxiety that includes seasons ending, particularly for high school or college senior citizens who might seem like these opportunities have been ripped away from them?

Colasanto: There needs to be a chance to consider what closure is. For each person, that could be various. However again, it resembles something ending suddenly whe