THE TOLLS OF UNCERTAINTY CREATED BY THE PANDEMIC

WORRY, ANXIETY AND STRESS

 INFLAMMATORY REACTION

 DISREGULATED IMMUNE RESPONSE

 WEAKENED NERVOUS SYSTEM

IMPAIRED HEALING PROCESS.

“It is not work that kills but worry.” -  English proverb

Uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic comes from the many unknowns of this novel virus. The inadequate response to control the spread of this very contagious killer virus by elected representatives and government officials, the absence of cures or a vaccine, no unified national policy how to deal with it. It appears that the pandemic is not going away soon and neither are our fears and concerns. We are left desperate, to face our own fates.

The collapsing economy, the fear of catching the virus and dying from it, fear of losing our job, uncertainty about our future, about schooling and the future of our children and the grief of our losses is having a terrible toll on all of us. Going through life constantly thinking every bad thing could happen is not easy.

Our mind is fully occupied with negative and catastrophic thoughts. These persisting and negative thoughts could create one of the worst stressors in our minds for some of us and induce what is called “high stressor anxiety.” High stressor anxiety triggers the body’s neuro-chemical defense mechanism by producing plenty of stress hormones to create an immediate fight–or-flight reaction.

Our mind doesn’t differentiate the internal (imaginary) stressors from external stressors like facing a danger and reacts to them both in the same manner. External stressors disappear when the danger is gone. But internal stressors persist and even could get worse by ruminating and feeding on itself, creating more anxiety and thereby causing a continuous fight-or-flight reaction. If this state of mind and body’s stress reaction continuous in a chronic fashion, then long lasting mental and physical health problems could ensue.

There are ways we can help ourselves to overcome this negative thought process and continuing anxiety. For this, we should have three-pronged approach: the mind and the nervous system, the body and the colonic microbiome population. These three vital systems are most influenced by the high anxiety and stress. They are tightly interconnected with massive network of nerves and they constantly communicate with others about their status with their own electro-magnetic and molecular language.

Since the source of anxiety is negative and catastrophic thoughts, we should try to clear our minds of negative thoughts by using our willpower and imagination to work for us by creating positive thinking. Combining this with meditation practices, we can easily clear our mind of all negative thoughts. The healing power of positive thinking can’t be overlooked. Giving ourselves a pep-talk, reading our favorite book or watching a comforting movie could also help to elevate our mood. Spirituality, faith and prayer also help.

Exercise is much important during stressful times. There are many ways to exercise at home - power yoga is a good example. Vigorous exercise causes our brain to produce stress-relieving doses of feel- good endorphins to help strengthen the mind, body and immune system.

Having good nutrition is also very important. In stressful times, because of the increased amount of the stress hormone cortisol in our blood, it makes us to crave sweet stuff, carbohydrates and junk foods. We eat often and we gain excess weight. This is not helpful. Instead we should follow a well-balanced and nutritious Mediterranean type diet supplemented with fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. This diet is very rich of vitamin B complex, which are essential vitamins for proper functioning of the brain, nervous system and the immune system. In addition, this diet provides prebiotics for the billions of our friendly colonic microbiome population. 

I believe that in stressful life situations, we should supplement our diet with taking extra vitamin B complex and probiotics that contain ”Lactobacillus rhamnosus,” which is very effective neurobiotic that resist the development of anxiety and depression. A healthy gut microbiome population, besides preventing anxiety and stress, primes and trains our immune system to react properly and to prevent diffuse inflammatory immune response. 

If all these measures fail, and your thoughts, feeling and behaviors prevent you to get through the day, then it is time to se a qualified mental health professional.