Safety Services Company
March 27th 2020
Safety Security Company
By now, you have likely heard of the coronavirus disease. The virus is now considered a public health emergency and pandemic. At Safety Services Company, we value and prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our clients and their employees. And, as the situation evolves, many are experiencing a vast range of emotions, whether its mild anxiety or serious panic.
While we work tirelessly to help create a blueprint for you and your business to stay in compliance with safety and health requirements, we also provide an element of care for our customers that may not always be apparent. We want all our customers to remain healthy, happy and safe throughout this challenging time. By staying vigilant and following best practices for hygiene, we can manage our physical health, however, we must also address the stress and anxiety this pandemic is causing.
The outliers of uncertainty can be stressful in any situation. Businesses are closing, whether permanently or temporarily, leaving a large population unemployed. With schools and daycares closed, others must stay home with young children. Some may be in self-quarantine without enough food or medicine; and some without companionship, experiencing extreme loneliness. There are those in a specific age group – at a higher risk for disease – and are living with outright fear (we acknowledge, it’s normal to be afraid).
Suddenly, hugging, shaking hands or even standing within six feet of each other is restricted. Most of the population has uncertainty and concern. As a society, we have lost the control and structure that previously gave us comfort. It is understandable that many are having difficulty coping.
The silver lining is that stress and anxiety can be very normal and healthy feelings. In fact, having some anxiety can motivate you to maintain good hygiene habits, like washing your hands more frequently and minimizing contact with other people.
Severe anxiety, on the other hand, can be debilitating. You may have too much anxiety about the coronavirus if you:
Ultimately, we need to find ways to manage these feelings and practice some self-care.
What are Some Tips for Dealing with Anxiety About the Coronavirus?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or panicked about the coronavirus, you can take steps to help keep your anxiety controlled.
You are your most important asset and your physical health is just as important as your mental health. Take a break and watch a funny movie, call an old friend, spend some time with your pets (animals provide emotional support for people feeling socially isolated). Get your preventative information from trusted sources such as the CDC, a resource for credible scientific information. Try to stay in contact with others – you can be socially connected while physically distant. Practice stress-relieving activities such as exercise (helps with mood and sleep) and meditation. Work at staying within a daily routine.
Relieve yourself of the need to “stock up” as we need to be conscientious of those in our communities who also need supplies and daily necessities. We are in this together and we will get through this together by being sensitive to the world we find ourselves in and looking after one another.
The best way you can cope with the stress and anxiety of the COVID-19 virus is to understand it, take precautions and avoid panicking. Like you, we’re monitoring the latest news about COVID-19, and have been working closely with customers, helping to answer questions about workplace health and safety. In addition, we’ve developed some new resources to help you educate employees about workplace hygiene, and tips for preventing the spread of the virus. These resources can be downloaded for free using the links below. 1. Safety Meeting – COVID-19 | DOWNLOAD HERE Make this important topic the focus of your next safety meeting. 2. Safety Poster – COVID-19 | DOWNLOAD HERE Increase awareness of best practices. Just download and print at your local store.
If you have any questions about how Safety Services Company can assist with your workplace health and safety, reach out to one of our Virtual Compliance Officers today: 877-201-8923.