With masses of people stuck at home amid coronavirus, the popular meditation and mindfulness app, Headspace, is offering free content to help manage stress and anxiety.
"There are a lot of unknowns in the world right now," the company said on its website. "To help support you through this time of crisis, we're offering some meditations you can listen to anytime."
The collection, called “Weathering The Storm,” is free for everyone.
“It includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling,” Headspace wrote. “It’s our small way of helping you find some space and kindness for yourself and those around you.”
The company is also providing content geared specifically toward health care workers, educators and employers who want to help remote employees.
“It’s our small way of helping you and your workplace approach every day with compassion and understanding, as you look to keep your business as healthy and happy as possible,” Headspace wrote.
All the content can be accessed on Headspace's website or on its app.
While the emotional impact of an emergency varies for different individuals, the CDC notes that people with preexisting mental health conditions should continue regular treatment plans, as well as being conscious of new symptoms that arise.
"Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children," the CDC's website states.
Psychologist Elissa Epel, who works at the University of California, San Francisco, also shared some tips for navigating coronavirus-related stress, panic and anxiety.
"While some anxiety helps us cope, extreme anxiety can become coronavirus panic. When we are in a panic state, we suffer, we stress out our children, we are more likely to make mistakes and engage in irrational decisions and behavior,” she says.
Additionally, the CDC recommends the following measure to look out for your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak:
- Stay informed, but avoid over-saturating yourself with coverage of the virus
- Take deep breaths and try to meditate
- When you can, eat healthy foods and get regular exercise
- Take time to unwind "and remind yourself that strong feelings fade"
- Take breaks from consuming coverage
- Connect with others about what you are feeling
- Maintain healthy relationships with friends or family members
- Try to maintain a sense of positive thinking
