12 Tips to Manage Today’s Stress:
No. 1 Shouldn’t Surprise You
These are stressful times, full of anxiety for everyone and loneliness for many. Missing family, friends, travel and even work.
The challenges can be more difficult for people who know they are at a higher risk for coronavirus and who already face physical challenges and, too often, social isolation.
Almost a third of older North Americans live alone. Before the coronavirus outbreak, 43 percent reported feeling lonely on a regular basis.
Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones; changes in sleep or eating patterns, trouble concentrating; and increased use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But no one is in this coronavirus challenge alone. We are here to help keep you moving your body and maintaining a positive outlook. Here are 12 simple steps you can take each day to manage stress, anxiety and a sense of isolation caused by the coronavirus outbreak or any other reason.
- Exercise. We’ve told you before and we’re going to tell you again – because it can’t be said often enough. You simply must move your body regularly during this challenge, even if you are restricted from going to the gym or studio. There are online workouts, videos and other resources to make it fun, safe and effective. Check out Global Fitness and Racquet Centre on Facebook or our website.
- Eat right, drink plenty of water, and get good sleep every night. The basics of health really matter at a time like this.
- Express your worries and emotions. Tell family, friends, doctors and caregivers what’s on your mind. Keep up your creative outlets, like painting and music.
- Relax, meditate, practice your faith, and an attitude of gratitude. Despite all the uncertainty, you have many blessings in your life. Focus on them. Make a list.
- Call your family and friends. Send text messages to check in. Play games on your phone like Word With Friends. Use FaceTime and other video call technology to see your kids and grandkids, even if you can’t be with them.
- Read a book. Read several. When you’re stuck in one place and in your own thoughts, nothing takes you away like a good book.
- Limit your exposure to TV news and social media. We should all stay informed. But with the relentless 24/7 news cycle, it’s not necessary to keep it on all the time. Don’t dwell in it.
- Maintain your personal hygiene and a clean home, as tempting as it might be to lounge around in PJs all day and let the laundry pile up.
- Pick a classic movie night to share with family and friends, and discuss it over the phone and via texting.
- Indulge in a daydream about something fun you’ll do when all this is over – a vacation, or just dinner at your favorite restaurant.
- Spend some time contemplating and planner behavioral changes that will help you live better and healthier now and in the future when this has passed.
- Dig out those old puzzles and spend some time putting them together.
And of course please feel free to reach out with questions, comments, helpful tips etc. We’re here for you.
Gordon Palmer – Training and Fitness Coordinator at Global Fitness and Racquet Centre, Kelowna BC Canada. www.globalfitnesskelowna.com
Founder of Project Body Smart. www.projectbodysmart.com
