
Embrace Video Chats
While
phone calls, email, and texting are all incredibly helpful to keep in contact
with loved ones during this time, it is video that experts and physicians are
recommending the most. Being able to visually see your friends and family
allows you to see body language and facial expressions, all little things that
you don’t realize can impact communication more than even the words someone
says. Just seeing a friend laugh and smile can help brighten your day and give
you the feeling of being around people you care about, even from miles away!
Take a Break from the News
While
it’s important for many people to stay up to date with the news, it’s also
problematic due to the amount of negative imagery and information we are being
bombarded with. Constantly hearing about the pandemic can be not only scary,
but stressful as well. Make a pact to stay away from the news—including social
media, which circulates most news sources—for a set amount of time, whether
that’s a day or a week. Allowing your body a chance to unwind away from
negativity will help you feel refreshed.
Try a New Exercise
With
gyms closed due to stay-at-home efforts, many gyms and personal trainers are
taking their expertise to the web. Exercising regularly can keep your mind and
body healthy, so try something new! Go on YouTube and find a new meditation
technique or take the plunge and sign up for that exercise program you’ve been
eyeing up on Facebook for the past couple months.
Trying
a new routine or exercise at home can also alleviate worries of “looking silly”
while you learn something new. Or, for the fearless out there, challenge
yourself to stream your workouts through Instagram or Facebook Live to keep
yourself accountable and share your progress with others.
Unwind and Reassess
Many
people may be using this time to clean and purge in their homes, which is a
great way to spend time. But for those of you who just need to unwind and press
pause, there’s no pressure to “get your life together” during this time.
COVID-19’s pandemic has been a traumatic experience and it has put a lot of
extra worries and stress on many people. We need to forgive ourselves for being
stagnant during this time and allow our bodies to get the relaxation they
crave.
Turn
off your electronics for an afternoon and open the windows, letting the fresh
air in. Read your favorite book or watch your favorite guilty-pleasure movie.
Make yourself a comfort meal of your favorite foods—or order in your favorite
meal from a local restaurant!—and cuddle up on the couch under five blankets.
Take a break each hour to stretch or do meditation. There’s no wrong way to
unwind, just make sure you’re focusing on yourself and your well-being.
Your Turn: Do you have a go-to way to
kick the quarantine blues? Share your thoughts in the comments.
During
this time, it’s extremely important to focus on your physical and mental
health. There are many resources available for anything you or a loved one are
going through, including those through the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), which are particularly educated on stressors during times
such as these. For more information and resources on coping with stress during
COVID-19, visit the CDC’s dedicated page here.
Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress
Hotline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
People
with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call
1-800-985-5990.
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