It’s nearly impossible to escape the onslaught of anxiety-inducing information swirling around in the news each day surrounding COVID-19, the novel coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe. Then layer on the added stress of working from home, layoffs and furloughs, home-schooling your children, the economic downturn, and trying to stock up on groceries and other household essentials — it’s no wonder so many people are in panic-mode. It seems the only thing more contagious than coronavirus is the stress it’s causing.
Aside from making you feel miserable, stress has been proven to decrease the body’s lymphocytes, the white blood cells that help fight infection. That, in turn, makes your body a more favorable host for viruses — the very thing you’re hoping to avoid. Not to mention, sleepless nights spent worrying instead of catching zzz’s also negatively impacts your immune system. In short? We must work to manage stress and anxiety now more than ever.