(Reprinted from our September Newsletter)
Below are some tips for taking care of yourself and your mental/physical health:
Moderate the amount of news you watch.—Take breaks from the pandemic briefings. Stick to trusted sources of information and avoid hearsay (e.g., on social media) that makes you more anxious. Limit time spent on social media or other programming that you find raises your anxiety level.
Take care of your body by regular exercise, plenty of sleep, and healthy eating habits.
Connect with others in your family and faith community.
Be thankful. Along with being the “right thing to do,” an attitude of gratitude can help boost your mood and make you happier.
Share your feelings with a trusted friend.
Take time for quiet.
Take advantage of opportunities you still DO have: take a walk and enjoy the weather, catch up on sleep if you’re tired. Think of what you CAN more than what you CAN’T.
Think of ways you can help others.
Realize that this is a stressful time for everyone.
Pay attention to your feelings and thoughts. If you find yourself being negative, try to balance this with positive thinking.
Try a new hobby or learn to do something new; help move your attention off the huge problems in our world and onto something constructive and positive.
Sources: cdc.gov/coronavirus, usf.edu, buffalo.edu, vivalife.ca, theconversation.com