Stress in the covid pandemic

Stress is the body's reaction that occurs when a person faces a threat, pressure, or a change. Stress can also occur
due to situations or thoughts that make a person feel hopeless, nervous, angry, or excited, which triggers a body
response, both physically and mentally. The body's response to stress can include rapid breathing and heart rate,
muscles stiffening, and increased blood pressure. Stress is often triggered by inner stress, such as problems in
your family, social relationships, heartbreak, unrequited love, or financial problems. In addition, stress can also
be triggered by illness. Having a family member who is prone to stress will also make it easier for that person to
experience stress.

At this time most people are stressed not because of their fear of contracting the Covid-19 virus, but afterwards
or the impact of Covid-19 on life, both in the economic, social and other areas of life. Stress has been
scientifically proven to make our immune system vulnerable. Even though at this time we must maintain
immunity in a strong condition to avoid various diseases, especially the covid-19 virus. There are several
techniques that can be used when stress hits, such as the 4 7 8 breathing technique and the butterfly hug. When
you feel stressed or panicked, you can start by relaxing your body through conscious breaths. Breathing calmly
can reduce pain and tension in the body and calm our minds.

Breathing technique 4 7 8. The technique introduced by Dr. Andrew Weil is quite well known and easy to apply.
The trick is to inhale through the nose for 4 counts, hold the breath for 7 counts, and exhale through the nose for
8 counts. Repeat until you feel relaxed. Butterfly Hug Technique. This technique was first introduced by two
practitioners, namely Lucina Artigas and Ignacio Jarero. The trick is to cross your hands on your chest, clapping
your hands together like flapping wings on a butterfly. The movement is done by inhaling slowly and exhaling
slowly. Do this movement over and over again until you feel your body and mind relax.

Principles of Stoicism. Apart from these two techniques you can also apply the principles of Stoicism. The
principle of stoicism states that the only two things we can control are our thoughts and actions. We cannot
control what happens outside ourselves or external factors, but we can control how we judge, respond to and
react to external factors. The corona virus is beyond our control, but we have control over what precise actions
we can take in the midst of this pandemic. Most stress is caused by overevaluating the negative stimuli (external
factors) we receive. This makes stress increase, so we need to learn to look for the positive sides or judge life
from positive things. In this life it is not only the Covid-19 pandemic that makes us sad, there have been
previous lives that make us happy. Maybe this pandemic is stressing us out, but there is another side that we can
assess positively, such as before the pandemic we were too busy working so we didn't have time for children, but
now we do work from home, so we have more time with family. at home. Another example is that we become
more religious and earnest in worshiping at home. So let's both learn to find positive values from our lives so
that we can manage stress positively (not avoid stress, okay). And the last is to be wise with information about
covid-19 that is circulating on the internet. Because if too often it will make us stress, thereby reducing our
immune system. Only once a day we get or look for information related to Covid-19. And make sure the
information is from official and verified sources. Avoid hoax news that is widely circulating on the internet and
avoid spreading news that is not clear or has not been verified. Prevention of covid 19 transmission wash hands
for 20 secon with soap and running water according who, avoid crowds, keep distance from other people, avoid
direct contact with people who are sick, regular consumption of vitamins that can increase immunity when
healthy and accelerate helaing when sick, use a mask when leaving the house, clean and disinfect frequently
touched items. Alwas adhere to health regulations and protocols whereve you are here are ways to handle or
prevent covid 19. Finally, let's pray that we are all physically and psychologically healthy and always under the
protection of Allah SWT.