 When I published my last video on the impact of social distancing and isolation on mental health, I received a bunch of messages. People open themselves up and share with me the way they feel, behave and think about the coronavirus situation. I'm doing my best to stay positive, but I lay awake at night worrying I will die or someone I love will die, all be in hospital alone. I can't believe the death rate today. Over one thousand now. I feel so trapped. I feel like I'm stuck in a dark hole and there is no leather to climb out. All I've been doing is panicking all day and finding quite moments to go hide in the bathroom and cry so my kids don't see me upset. It's horrible. Reading all these messages convinced me that I had to do something. My name is Robin Wallast. I'm a doctor in psychology and in this video I will give you eight useful tips based on psychological science to cope with coronavirus anxiety. First, acknowledge your emotions. Within a matter of weeks, the coronavirus outbreak escalated into a global pandemic. In this context, acknowledge that it is normal to experience a wide range of thoughts, feelings and reaction, including stress, anxiety, worry, fear, depression, sadness, frustration or anger. According to psychologists, such unpleasant emotions are natural evolutionary responses to a perceived danger or threat. These feelings are therefore all understandable in the face of this difficult situation. Allow yourself time to notice and express what you are feeling and don't try to ignore it. Confronting your emotions and looking realistically at your situation can be sometimes painful, but it is important for the coping process. Two, stay connected with people. As a stay-at-home order has been implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus, even more people worldwide are separated from relatives, friends and loved ones. However, social support is an important factor that positively affects mental health when facing stressful physical and psychosocial events. Therefore, telephones, social media platforms and online forums are excellent tools to stay connected together and bolster psychological well-being. In sum, instead of social distancing, practice distance socializing. Three, limit your media exposure. The constant stream of updates about coronavirus could cause you to feel worried. Stay informed but limit your exposure to news and stick with reliable sources. Four, keep a healthy lifestyle. Keep up your healthy routines. Maintain a balanced diet. Enjoy plenty of fruit and vegetables. Drink more water. Avoid smoking and drinking. Stay active. Exercise regularly and create a very consistent sleep practice. By taking care of yourself and engaging in health-promoting behaviors, you will be reinforcing your immune system as well as your mindset, which will help you to better cope with this challenging situation. Five, consciously choose to distract yourself. The desire for distraction is a natural response that we often feel when we want to avoid something uncomfortable or negative. People cope with anxiety or stress using different strategies. Some will be watching TV series or playing video games, while others will eat unhealthy foods such as chocolate to comfort themselves. These avodian strategies are temporary ways to withdraw from life stressors and to escape reality. However, a little escape can sometimes be healing, but it should be consciously chosen. You may choose to distract yourself occasionally, but such a choice is made freely before even engaging in these avoidance behaviors. Six, practice meditation, mindfulness and acceptance. Isolation and quarantine can mirror the conditions necessary for meditation retreat. Take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with meditation practices to develop skills and qualities such as serenity, calmness, gratitude and acceptance. Many studies have demonstrated that regularly practicing meditation and mindfulness makes a big difference to how we feel psychologically and physically. As coronavirus anxiety rises among people, many popular meditation applications are making their services free. Give it a try. Seven, cultivating compassion. The crisis also reminds us that we are all in this together and you are not alone. We can emerge with a renewed sense of community by becoming more awake to our interconnectedness and common humanity. Negative emotions like fear or anxiety are contagious, but so are positive emotions. Positive emotions can be powerful when we look up to people whose values and morals inspire us. Moral elevation is the feeling of being uplifted and inspired by other's pro-social selfless acts, and this experience prompts observers to also act with kindness and generosity themselves. Showing care and exemplary behavior towards friends, family or vulnerable people in our community can be all the more important during times like this. It can foster a sense of hope, purpose and meaning. Eight, seek virtual help from professionals if you need it. Talking to a mental health professional can bolster your ability to face this difficult situation and provide advice for coping with isolation and connection, financial hardship and how best to support the mental health of loved ones. Many professionals are now available both online and over the phone. If you search for a therapist in your area, their websites may tell you whether they have moved their place online. Thank you for watching. Let me know in the comments what are your useful tips to cope with coronavirus anxiety. And if you find this video helpful, please consider sharing it. You never know who might need this. Stay safe and healthy. Bye.