These are stressful times, full of anxiety for everyone and loneliness for many.
The Corona Stress challenges can be more difficult for mature 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 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 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Manage Corona Stress
But no one is in this coronavirus challenge alone. I am here to help keep you moving your body and maintaining a positive outlook. Here are 10 simple steps you can take each day to manage stress, anxiety and a sense of isolation caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
- I’ve told you before and I’m 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. I offer online fitness and nutrition coaching through the members page or a mobile app. I can also do virtual one-to-one personal training using FaceTime or Google Duo so you can still have live, supervised workouts that are fun, safe and effective.
- 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, pray, and practice 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.
If you need help getting started on a workout program, contact me today and we’ll schedule a free consultation to discuss what options would be best for you during this stressful time. You don’t need access to a gym or any special exercise equipment – there is plenty that you can do just with your own body weight.
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These are all great ways to keep stress to a minimum in spite of the current pandemic we’re in. Everything from simple exercises at home to consistent communication with others goes a long way, and such practices ensure that we will be okay.