Corona fear as a major health risk: Expert explains strategies for coping with stress

Created: 12/24/2021, 11:22 AM

From: Alexandra Schöne

Corona and no end: The pandemic and its side effects are causing negative stress.

© Bihlmayerfotografie / Imago

Permanent corona alarm and anger at other groups of people: We live in a chronically stressed society.

An expert explains the background and describes possible solutions.

Munich - Daniela Hadem-Kälber has made stress her job.

The Munich resident is a stress prevention trainer.

In the interview, she gives tips for relaxation techniques and explains how you can arm yourself against Christmas stress and the Omikron wave.

The WHO has declared stress to be one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century.

Has the pandemic made the situation even worse?

Hadem-Kälber:

We live in a chronically stressed society.

This enormous stress load is evident in the increasing aggressiveness of the opponents of the vaccination on the one hand and the growing anger towards unvaccinated people on the other.

With a permanently elevated stress level, people often suffer from negative emotions.

The ability to regulate one's own emotions decreases.

Corona creates aggression: what helps to cope with the stress

What can you do about it?

Hadem calves:

In order to avoid current stress, it is helpful to be aware of media consumption.

Meeting people you trust who are good for you can also help.

In addition, you can question your own thoughts.

Many are saying to themselves: I would never survive a new lockdown.

It always makes sense to stop and examine this thought.

Is that really true?

One should be aware that one does not have to believe everything that one thinks for oneself.

Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness training or meditation can also help.

There are various apps that help you get started, or courses financed by health insurance companies.

And what makes sense in everyday life, for example when there is acute stress at work?

Hadem calves:

The stop technique is nice and short.

You say stop inside or out loud to yourself.

So we can rearrange ourselves.

You can also pinch or clap your hands.

Or you count your breaths and accompany your breath with words that are good for you.

The ALI technique means breathing, laughing, pausing.

Even if you don't feel like smiling at the moment, it signals to the brain that something good is happening.

The breath is the anchor.

You can always work with him and calm down a bit.

Christmas can also be a stressful time at times.

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Hadem calves:

ALI also works well at Christmas.

People sit on each other a lot on the holidays.

To relieve stress, you can go for a walk or exercise in the fresh air.

Then mindfulness exercises are always useful to listen to what you need right now.

Daniela Hadem-Kälber works as a stress prevention trainer.

© Achim Schmidt

Corona vortex creates stress - and this transforms impressions into negative emotions

We are facing an omicron wave in the new year.

Many are afraid of it.

What can people hold onto?

Hadem-Kälber:

Becoming aware of what is good for us and focusing on these things is the best way to go.

For example, every morning you can write down what you are grateful for.

Or what goals you have.

It makes sense to keep the big picture in mind and not see yourself in the role of victim due to stress.

What happens in the brain when there is stress?

Hadem calves:

When stress is prolonged, more cortisol is released in the brain.

Cortisol activates a specific area called the amygdala.

There sensory impressions are converted into emotions.

When stressed, the emotions are usually negative, for example anger, helplessness, fear or sadness.

In the long run, the connections within the amygdala increase.

The emotions get stronger, you get thin-skinned.

There are also studies that show that the effects of stress really become visible in the lockdown phases.

For example, blood pressure may rise or premenstrual syndrome may become worse in women.

The corona lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 by politics have left their mark.

As a new study shows, the consequences for children are particularly terrifying.

Interview: Alexandra Schöne