It’s okay to put yourself first. Self-care is an important part of managing your stress and can help you stay happy and healthy.

​

Coping With Stress
Everyone—adults, teens, and even children, experiences stress. Stress is a reaction to a situation where a person feels threatened or anxious. Stress can be positive (e.g. preparing for a wedding) or negative (e.g. dealing with a natural disaster). Learning healthy ways to cope and getting the right care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms.

​

After a traumatic event, people may have strong and lingering reactions. These events may include personal or environmental disasters or threats with an assault. The symptoms may be physical or emotional. Common reactions to a stressful event can include:

• disbelief, shock, and numbness

• feeling sad, frustrated, and helpless

• difficulty concentrating and making decisions

• headaches, back pains, and stomach problems

• smoking or use of alcohol or drugs

​

Outbreaks can be stressful

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include

• Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones

• Changes in sleep or eating patterns

• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

• Worsening of chronic health problems

• Worsening of mental health conditions

• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

 

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations

How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include

• Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19

• Children and teens

• People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors, other health care providers, and first responders

• People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use

Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress
Feeling emotional and nervous or having trouble sleeping and eating can all be normal reactions to stress. Here are some healthy ways you can deal with stress:

• Take care of yourself.

  • Eat healthy, well-balanced meals

  • Exercise on a regular basis

  • Get plenty of sleep

• Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out

• Talk to others. Share your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a parent, friend, counselor, doctor, or pastor.

• Avoid drugs and alcohol. These may seem to help, but they can create additional problems and increase the stress you are already feeling.

• Take a break. If news events are causing your stress, take a break from listening or watching the news.

• Recognize when you need more help. If problems continue or you are thinking about suicide, talk to a psychologist, social worker, or professional counselor.

​

Health Coverage

Health insurance plans offered under Covered California provide mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment. To find out more, call us at (800) 650-0922.