• Know what you can do to stay safe. Follow the CDC guidelines and use healthy hygiene practices by washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you are sick, stay home. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your cough or sneeze. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

• Whenever possible, stick to routine. This may be hard due to the fact that school and other social gatherings are being canceled. If classes do begin via zoom, find a designated area in your home to listen in to your classes (ideally not in your bedroom). Make sure to incorporate some activity into your day as well, such as taking a walk. Physical activity outside can help calm your thoughts.

• Read the news cautiously. Please know that during this time, everyone is still gathering information about the virus and the news is changing daily. To that end, if you find yourself refreshing your news and social media feeds, please do so cautiously or stop reading it. Continuously reading the news will either only increase your anxiety or cause you to have new anxiety. There are plenty of adults (including us) that you can turn to for information.

• Recognize how you’re feeling. Know that what is happening can be anxiety provoking. Make sure you have someone to talk to if you’re feeling overwhelmed (I will be available via zoom); talk to your parents and be honest with them about how you are feeling. Try to recognize that the best you can do right now is to take the necessary precautions recommended by the CDC and the adults in your lives, all of whom have only your safety in mind. Know that it is ok to not feel anxious during this time. Everybody reacts differently during times of uncertainty.