I'm just so scared..

[scaredkit]

I know everyone is in the same boat.
Everywhere I look.. news, Facebook.. social media - everything is related to covid. I feel like I just can't escape it!
A fitness celeb that I follow has recently tested positive for covid, and now the other people in their household are too. They are all SUPER healthy.. and have been really suffering.
This scares the CRAP out of me. I'm not healthy at all, my BMI is high. So is my DP's (we are actively trying to eat better and loose weight) but if this is affecting people that are super healthy so badly, surely we wouldn't stand a chance 🥺

I'm just terrified and battling hard with my anxiety. I suffer badly with staying indoors or in one place all day. Lockdown / tier 4 life is really hard but I know it must be done. I just find it so difficult.

I want to go out (walk / parks and need to go food shopping desperately) but don't want to risk our health. I just feel completely conflicted.. and scared of everything 😔

Sorry - just a bit of a moan I suppose.. Hope you are all keeping safe and well.

When you say the super fit celebrity is really suffering, do you mean admitted to hospital and on oxygen suffering, or just really bad illness at home suffering?
I'm not comparing covid to flu, but a a very fit and healthy 20yo, I had flu that floored me for a week. It was utterly horrible, but then I got better and all was fine.
Some people will indeed have a miserable few weeks with covid, as they could with any other virus, then they'll get better. So for many many, in fact the vast majority of people, it will not be life threatening or life changing.
However yes we do need to be careful and follow the guidance as for some, it can indeed be much worse.

How about a couple of practical things you could do to make things better?

Assuming you are showing no symptoms, getting out for a walk on a regular basis will do you a huge amount of good. You can avoid people, you know!!

Regular exercise will improve your mood and your fitness, being fitter reduces your vulnerabillity to severe COvid. Alternate moderate and brisk walking - moderate so you can take in your surroundings and be more mindful, brisk for the aerobic benefit.

Also, are you taking a vitamin D supplement? A large proportion of UK residents are deficient in vitamin D, and this is linked to worse outcomes in Covid (well, all respiratory infections actually). The recommended dose is 10 mcg daily, but that's nowhere near enough, especially in someone who is obese (like I am). I was on 25 mcg and had myself tested, I was still below optimal vit D levels despite having been on them for months. So I increased to 100ug daily, tested about 3 months later and was in the optimal range.

Also - if news coverage is making you anxious, cut down on how often you look. I know it's addictive - I'm forever hitting refresh. But if you know it's making your anxiety worse, look at something else for a change.

Transmission outside is highly unlikely. Don't give up your walks.

I was terrified at the start but I've had to work all the way through in a supermarket!

I went for a 1 hour walk with a friend, we walked 3 miles, we didn’t stop chatting while walking, sd the whole time, friend has diabetes so has to be careful. It lifts your spirits and makes you feel so much better, I also walk my dogs at 6.30 every morning, getting up and out of the house is such a game changer in this situation x