Posted on April 2, 2020
Since this is going to be a long haul during quarantine, I was sent this by a doctor wellness group. I thought these are things we could all do.
- Check in with yourself daily:
- How are you feeling? How are you doing with regard to your health and daily habits.
- Set small goals for yourself to affirm your good health behaviors.
- Exercise 30 min, limited screen time, eating fruits/vegetables, for example.
- What stress effects are you noticing?
- muscle tension, headaches, sleeplessness.
- What emotions are you feeling?
- Allow yourself to acknowledge the feelings, and let them be. Often they will dissipate more quickly.
- Try stress-reduction techniques in order to tame the “fight-or-flight” response. Constant high levels of cortisol interfere with mood, blood pressure and sleep.
- Here are some apps to try for anxiety, stress-reduction, meditation. Several of them have daily reminder notifications and can be customized.
- Shine: Calm Anxiety & Stress
- Headspace
- UCLA Mindful
- SAM app
- Here are some apps to try for anxiety, stress-reduction, meditation. Several of them have daily reminder notifications and can be customized.
- Have compassion for yourself and others. Everyone is doing the best they can.
- Connect with others– even if you cannot do it in person:
- Facebook, Zoom and other ways to stay connected will help you during the shelter in place.
- Paradoxically, take some time and space to be alone. Use this time to journal, read, meditate, center yourself.
- Limit the time you spend reading/watching the news. This can worsen anxiety.
- Express gratitude daily.