By Laura MeCoy
Venice Family Clinic
With the State of California planning
to eliminate most COVID-19 restrictions
on June 15, Iliniza (Nisa) Baty,
Venice Family Clinic’s director of behavioral
health, today offered four tips
for people to avoid stress, fear and
anxiety as they resume broader social
interactions and return to the workplace
and group outings. She encouraged
people to explore the root of their
fears, focus on what they can control,
get outdoors and exercise and recognize
they’re not alone.
“Our social muscles may have atrophied
as we sheltered at home over
the past year, and the return to normal
social interactions may cause stress
and anxiety,” she said. “We need to
recognize that for some of us, it may
take small steps to get back to feeling
comfortable again at work, school and
in groups.”
She encouraged people to explore
the root of their fears by takinga step
back and questioning whether they
feel anxiety about the state of the global
pandemic broadly or whether their
fears are based on their own experiences?
She said that taking the time to
conduct this assessment will help offer
fresh answers and perspective.
With all the challenges of the pandemic,
Baty said people need to focus
on what they can control now – from
the way they control their breath to the
decisions about where they go and
who they see.
“When you intentionally choose to
focus on what you can take action on,
you start to eliminate ifs and buts and
any fears associated with those,” she
said. “It is extremely powerful.”
To help ease anxiety and stress, she
suggests getting outside and exercising
because physical movement helps
calm these emotions. She suggested
starting with small steps, such as a
walk around the block, and to expand
that over time.
Baty also said sharing feelings and
experiences with others not only reminds
people that they aren’t alone;
it helps relieve stress and anxiety.
Speaking with a counselor or other
mental health professional can help.
To become a patient of Venice Family
Clinic, please call (310) 392-8636. L.A.
County offers help at (800) 854-7721
for COVID-19 related stress and support
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