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By Charlotte Smith

There is an extreme form of the Fear of the Unknown, which is a phobia called Xenophobia. Someone with an irrational sense of fear of a specific people group, or an unknown or strange situation, may be experiencing Xenphobia, according to Jacob Olesen, with FearOf site.

I am a firm believer we should not live in fear. Below are five tips I found to help stay calm during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Understand instinct and emotions:

Understanding the cause of your fears and feelings are essential when combating a new threat. Fear is a human instinct. It is natural.

Education is key:

Education is key to overcoming the fear of not knowing. According to Nextstrain.org, COVID-19 disease is otherwise known as novel corornavirus. The genetic analyses confirmed the virus has a recent natural origin between November and December. There is a test for the virus, and funding has been approved for the development of a vaccination. Cape Fear Valley Health has produced a 28-minute video on its Facebook page that details signs and symptoms of coronavirus, who is at risk, and how to call a physician’s office or hospital for treatment.

Meditate:

When emotions are high, and stress is overwhelming, meditation is useful for coping, according to mental health specialists. According to Mayo Clinic, anyone can practice meditation. It’s simple, inexpensive, and it doesn’t require any special equipment. There are a variety of meditation techniques.

Humor:

Humor can be a gift of coping and survival, according to a report by Cathy Malchiodi in Psychology Today. No one should take life too seriously. Here is a funny meme to help ease the tension around the COVID-19.

Be prepared:

Do not let fear be the controlling factor. Be prepared. Listen to officials. The Bladen County Health Department recommends the following as precautions to use for protection from respiratory illnesses, including the flu and COVID-19.

**Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

**Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

**Avoid close contact with people who are ill.

**Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw it away.

**Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.

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