How does one deal with rising levels of anxiety in times like these?
It depends on what kind of anxiety one is experiencing.

“There’s no short answer to this question,” said Antje Rath, a clinical mental health counselor at Moab Regional Hospital. “Is it financial anxiety? Is it over loved ones getting sick? Is it about worrying your child won’t pass seventh grade?”

She said one of the smartest steps people can take is to have a routine. “You need some kind of structure for you and your kids.” Activities as simple as having breakfast at the same time every day, getting up and going to bed at the same time, and exercising.

She also said parents who suddenly find themselves home-schooling shouldn’t worry too much if they don’t feel up to the task. “People are going stir crazy at home. The people who are home-schooling right now: Don’t put so much pressure on yourselves. All the math and other work doesn’t have to be done right now. Focus on healthy activities, not just work.”

She also said there are a number of resources available for parents, such as tutors and other help. “Don’t hesitate to ask for help.”

Rath also said there are a number of resources available for those experiencing financial worries — which is almost everybody in the world these days — and she noted utility companies won’t turn off the lights or the gas. Food and clothing sources are available. She noted Realtor Dave Bierschied has collected a number of items.

In practice in Moab for the past 9 years, Rath said the conversations she’s having with clients range from concerns over elderly loved ones possibly getting sick, losing jobs, to their children’s interrupted education. She also said some of her clients have withdrawn, something that might not be healthy. She encourages people to “be creative” in how they continue to communicate with others.

She said it is critical to be honest with themselves and “figure out what you can control and what you can’t control.” You can control your own environment and you can do things to get involved. She cited the growing number of people who are sewing masks and gowns for Moab Regional Hospital.

“Practice gratitude. Life is difficult and scary right now, but there is lots to be grateful for,” she said. “Make yourself useful to others.” Rath also recommends practicing yoga and meditating — there are a number of guided meditations and yoga classes online — and she also suggests folks remember to be kind to others. “We’re all in this together.

Rath can be contacted by email at antjer@mrhmoab.org. She can also be reached by phone at 435-719-5500, option 2. Social worker Pam Marsing can be helpful to people in crisis and knows where resources can be found, said Rath. Marsing is reachable at 435-719-5531.

Coronavirus. It’s the new reality. Americans can hardly think about anything else lately. It changes everything we do. It's even keeping mental health therapists working overtime dealing with the fallout. Anxiety is through the roof. Fortunately, taking action is empowering, and can reduce anxiety.

Most of us can probably do a much better job of washing our hands. Frequently. We touch contaminated surfaces like doorknobs and gasoline pumps and then touch our faces hundreds of times a day. We cough and sneeze into our hands instead of our arms or elbows. We can do better.

But what else can we do? Strengthen our immune systems. This is our best defense. Keep in mind that we are only routinely testing patients who have symptoms. Only 10% of those nationwide are coming back positive, meaning that the rest have other illnesses. And there are many more who are infected (like Senator Rand Paul) who would never know it unless they were tested. So chances are good that we will all be exposed to it, in spite of our best efforts, including quarantines.

How can you strengthen your armor to best protect yourself from becoming sick?
First, take a virtual chill pill. There is way too much panicking going on right now. The media is unhinged, whipping politicians and the public into a frenzy the likes of which we have never seen. Yes, the virus is something to be concerned about, and take appropriate action on. But you are far more likely to die of a heart attack or cancer than from COVID-19. And panic itself is very harmful to the immune system. Learn to manage your stress. We can help.
Once you are calm and thinking rationally, use your free time in quarantine to reduce the toxins in your life. Toxins damage the body in many ways, including making it harder for you to fight infections. Don’t smoke, chew, inhale, drink, or expose your skin to other toxins. It’s like cutting off a soldier’s legs and then telling him to run. Ditto for sugar, which paralyzes white blood cells. Does it taste so good that you don’t mind increasing your risks of every infectious disease, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, obesity, and so much more? When you are ready to “take out the garbage” you’ve been living with for so many years, we can walk you safely through the detox process.

Next, think about the quality of the food you eat. Where does it come from? What chemicals are in it? What chemicals were used to process it? What additives does it have? How many nutrients have been stripped from it? Is it really food, or just masquerading as food?

Keep in mind that the immune system isn’t magic. It needs resources. You probably give it more than enough calories. But all of that fuel is useless without the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are necessary to convert it into energy and protect you from inflammation. Instead of guessing, we can actually test your micronutrients to make sure your immune system has everything it needs to protect you from all kinds of invaders, including viruses.
Optimize your vitamin D3. Don’t settle for average. This hormone is crucial to all immune functions in the body. After checking your level with a simple fasting blood test, take the prescribed amount to optimize it.

Take at least 1,000mg of high-grade vitamin C daily. Keep in mind that most over-the-counter vitamin C is of very poor quality, and your body knows the difference. A Maserati and a Volkswagen Beetle are both cars, but your experience in them is vastly different. We can help you find a high-quality vitamin C if you call the office.

There is no FDA-approved drug to prevent or cure Coronavirus. But if you implement these scientifically-proven strategies, your immune system will be in a much better position to ward off Coronavirus, flu, colds, and everything else. For more information, text “pwicv19” to 31996.

Most of all, stay calm. Panicking leads to foolish decisions and a weakened immune system. When you come into contact with Coronavirus—which is more likely than not—it's your immune system that is going to fail you, or save you. Do everything you can now to choose the latter. Better yet, rather than merely avoiding disease, focus on creating health. There's never been a better time than now, when your attention is focused more than ever on your health. Imagine coming out of this crisis healthier than you were before it started! Wouldn’t that be a nice unexpected blessing? We can show you how.