Anxious Anticipation: What to Do if Waiting to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine is Stressing You Out
Finally, after what seems like a lifetime of waiting, the vaccines are finally here.
Soon we all will be able to get vaccinated. With that comes the hope that soon we will return to many of the things that we enjoyed. Going to the movies, attending a show, even eating out at a restaurant without worrying about the spread of COVID-19!
However, is playing the “waiting game” causing stress and anxiety? It makes sense. But, at the same time, we all have to wait our turn.
Here are some ways to cope when struggling with vaccination anticipation.
Stay Up to Date on the Timeline
Each state has its own process for how they are distributing vaccines. For instance, almost every state initially had medical personnel who interacted directly with COVID patients as a high priority. Now many categories of people are eligible for vaccination. But not everybody quite yet.
It can help to know where we fit into the big picture and which category we qualify for. Check the states’ department of health website. Also, it may be possible to sign up for email alerts either from the state or county health department. These updates will keep us up to date with changes to the timeline, and when we will be eligible.
Sign Up, then Disconnect!
Once signed up for the appropriate notifications, disconnect! Will constantly scrolling through news stories or social media posts about vaccinations make that day come any sooner? Probably not. So, why not take a holiday from the internet, and social media in particular? For example:
Setting limits on the phone for using social media apps (15-30 minutes a day).
Get outside to go for a walk, run, or ride a bike.
Harnessing our green thumbs by tending to the garden or yard.
Take on a project, whether it’s creative like woodworking or painting, or completing home-repair tasks.
Curl up in a favorite chair with a warm drink and a good book.
Focusing on our computer or phone will not make the vaccines go any faster. Instead, why not direct that energy to things that are more productive?
Taking Care of Ourselves
There are many things that we can do to take care of ourselves during the intervening time between now and the time we’re vaccinated. These include:
Practicing recommended COVID-19 procedures, such as wearing a mask, washing our hands frequently, and maintaining a social distance of 6-feet apart from other people.
Exercising regularly to stay physically fit.
Keeping an eye on our nutrition and eating healthy foods.
Doing what we can to interact with other people safely and maintaining social connections with others.
One thing we can all do is talk to our friends and family about the vaccination process, hear their stories about getting vaccinated, and provide encouragement. It’s a great day when someone we know is able to finally get vaccinated!
Talking to Someone about the Stress
Finally, if vaccination anticipation is still causing distress, talk to someone about it. This is where therapy can really be useful. A therapist will listen intently but without judgment about that anxiety. Also, they will help direct attention away from the stress of waiting to more positive things.
Therapy can also be a great opportunity to learn coping strategies for how to deal with stress. And it is a chance to explore deeper why this stress is happening. If we feel stressed out over waiting for vaccination, there may be other aspects of our lives where we struggle over not feeling in control.
In the end, getting stressed over waiting for vaccination is all about what we can and cannot control. When we can’t control when we get vaccinated, then we experience anxiety. Knowing what you can control will help, in addition therapy. Find out today how counseling will help.
