As the COVID-19 outbreak continues in Iowa, lots of people may be getting to the point where stress is impacting their lives.

Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Heather Wilson says depression can be one result of the stress that COVID-19 has created for some people. She says some of the signs that someone has fallen into depression include changes in sleeping and eating habits, a decrease of concentration, loss of energy, body aches and pains, as well as a feeling of hopelessness. 

Wilson says there are ways to combat possible depression and manage stress during these uncertain times. She recommends limiting the amount of COVID-19 information, understand your personal risks with the virus and not think about the “what if’s.”

“This is where we start looking to the future (or) hypothetical situations or scenarios, things that may be very unlikely to happen. And as those racing thoughts come into your mind, you start to see more and more stress that leads to more and more anxiety.”

Wilson notes having some anxiety as a reaction to how the virus has impacted your life is normal.

“This is a normal type of anxiety. Having these fears and emotions related to dealing with the stressors that are presented with them, that is a normal response in our body.”

Wilson adds, managing stress can include doing self-care, relaxation, deep breathing and using imagery.