Keeping Your Cool in the Midst of Covid 19

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Keeping Your Cool in the Midst of Covid 19

How, you ask? Certainly, this is a very stressful situation we are all in. But often times, people's worry gets out of proportion. Some amount of thinking about the situation is needed, to be able to respond appropriately. But you know that worrying too much, like catastrophizing or thinking worst case scenarios all the time, doesn't help. In fact, it leaves us too anxious and even works against our immune system, which we need to keep as healthy as possible right now. Here are some tips on how to keep your stress-level low and keep your cool.

1. Routine, routine, routine. Keep it. Or if you lost your routine, recreate it. You may need to modify it, but do find a daily routine that works for you. And don't forget those routine visits to your doc and your dentist. Follow their recommendations to keep your health up!

2. Self-care. Do it! Find a way! Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. Exercise 30 minutes daily - whatever works for you (consult your doc). Find a few minutes each day, to do something enjoyable for yourself. Also watch what you are eating. Food is like fuel to our bodies and minds. Would you put sugar water into your car's gas tank? Make sure you get the right nutrients your body needs. Finally, watch the alcohol. Too much of anything is no bueno. If you need help with these, check in with your doc.

3. Put that phone down and stop checking social media or the news for Covid updates. I mean, do be informed so you can act accordingly. But - Too much checking the new etc. is going to increase your anxiety. Think of it as info is "diet" for your mind - what you feed it is going to create the state of mind you will be in. Balance the info. searching with fun or interesting input. Discovery channel? And ah!!...Don't become a couch tater. Limit the sedentary activities and get outside daily! There seems to be a growing number of people with low Vitamin D levels due to not being outside in the sun enough these days. Low Vitamin D can be connected to low mood. May want to get that checked. 

4. Be creative! Necessity is the mother of invention. Try that new hobby that you never took the time to learn. Find new ways to connect with others. Have a socially distanced meet-up with a friend at a park or order in and "share a meal" via video chat. Or maybe pick up the old art of letter writing again. The possibilities are endless. 

5. Mindfulness activities - these have been shown to help people stabilize their mood. There are various apps you can try for this. Or check out the Mindfulness Awareness Research Center by UCLA. http://marc.ucla.edu

If you are struggling with anxiety or depression due to Covid 19 ~ Let's Talk!

www.petracounseling.com