Fox News recently interviewed Itai Danovitch, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai, about his tips on how to help with COVID-19 anxiety and why it’s OK to feel stressed.

As we mark the two-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, some people are experiencing the same feelings of stress and anxiety as they did in early 2020 while thinking back on those first days and lockdowns. Danovitch suggested people first acknowledge that it’s OK to be stressed or anxious.

With the pandemic being such an era of uncertainty, the best way to address worry is to examine the cause, Danovitch told Fox News.

"When there are uncertain threats around us or risks, we get worried. The best way to deal with worry … is directly. Sometimes when we reflect on how we feel, and we acknowledge it, the intensity, the emotions around it, diminish their hold over us," Danovitch told Fox News. "Once you reflect on what’s making you anxious or concerned, you can start to evaluate the source of concern. And with that information … you can take appropriate action."

Danovitch also said it’s important for people to develop resilience in approaching these post-traumatic responses. Practicing self-care like getting sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, spending time outdoors, and connecting with nature and people who mean a lot can be helpful, he said.

Danovitch recommended relaxation exercises, breathing practices, and meditation for high and persistent anxiety. If anxiety continues, seek the guidance of a medical professional.

Danovitch also said it’s important for people to understand they are not the only ones feeling this way as these anxieties resurface on the second anniversary.

"You are not alone. Everybody has their own experience, but we’ve had a shared or common experience dealing with this profound threat and all the uncertainty around it," Danovitch told Fox News.

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