A Grief Expert's Take On Pandemic Anxiety Shape 12/18/2020 Pamela O'Brien It's no surprise that everyone feels more anxious this year, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and the election. But luckily, there are simple ways to keep it from spiraling out of control, says Claire Bidwell Smith, a grief therapist and the author of First, What Is Anxiety, Exactly? "It’s the fear of something real or imagined. When we become anxious, our fight-or-flight response kicks in and our adrenaline pumps, our heart starts to beat faster, and our stomach muscles constrict. Anxiety is mani...