8 minute read
Coping with Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Sandra Gottlieb, Esq. and Adrian Chiang, Esq.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major changes to our daily lives as we have been required to stay at home and minimize our contact with others outside our households. For many, this has taken a mental toll on our health. The effects of which show themselves most commonly in the form of stress affecting association members and those that work with them. But we are all going to make it through to the other side of the pandemic! Below are some suggestions from health experts and researchers about what we can do to protect our mental health during this time.
COPING WITH STRESS
Protect your physical health.
Stress can have a major effect on our physical health. Fortunately, there are tangible steps you can take to help protect your physical health.
Nutrition: Eating a well-balanced diet will help you feel better, and it may help control your moods. Try having meals that consist of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein. Eat your meals regularly as missing meals can make a person moody and increase stress.
Fitness: Research has shown that dedicating a certain amount of time each day to stretch and exercise (with no distractions) helps with stress---even if it is just 10 minutes a day. For those of us used to going to the gym, a walk or light jog in the neighborhood or exercises using your own body weight (for example, jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups) may be an effective substitute and can be done during short stints during the day.
Sleep: Research overwhelmingly shows the positive benefits of sleep on stress. In fact, research has shown that 21% of adults feel more stressed when they do not get enough sleep. Failure to get enough sleep can also lead to feelings of sluggishness, irritability, and difficulty in concentration, as if listening to the gardeners and dogs barking is not enough. Experts suggest that individuals would be healthier and less stressed if they were to sleep an extra 60 to 90 minutes per night. We know-easier said than done!
Staying clean: This seems like a strange one, but it isn’t once you think about it some more. Since most of us are spending more time at home with little to no visitors, we may feel less driven to tidy ourselves up and the areas we work in. Maintaining one’s cleanliness can be rejuvenating and having a clean working environment can make one feel less stressed.
2.
Take a break to do things you enjoy.
Just as it is important to dedicate time to fitness, it is equally important to dedicate some time to do the things you enjoy. For those of us whose favorite activities can’t be done during the State’s stay-at-home orders, finding a new hobby or trying something you always wanted to but never did can be just as rewarding.
3.
Informing friends and family.
The act of just talking about your day and what you are experiencing can help lower your stress. If you have family at home, try speaking with them about how you are feeling. Your friends can be contacted by telephone or video conferencing and should be happy to hear you out and share their experiences and feelings as well. Alternatively, you can give yourself positive “self-talk” such as “Everything will get better” or “I can do this!” to reduce stress.
Reduce time spent on COVID-19 news.
Many of us are concerned about the status of the COVID-19 pandemic—after all, it is affecting our daily lives and the lives of the community members that we work with. However, if you scroll through the news, you will often find distressing headlines about the pandemic. And, the more time you spend reading about the pandemic, the more you may be stressed about something you cannot fully control. Instead, try controlling the amount of COVID-19 news you intake to only a few minutes per day and you may see immediate benefits on your outlook.
Connecting with your community and reaching out to help others.
If you’re suffering from stress or other mental health issues from the pandemic, you are not alone. You can help yourself by helping and connecting with others. Make an effort to continue to connect with others by telephone or video, smile when you’re around others even if you are wearing a mask, act kindly, and be sensitive to how others may be affected. These actions may be even more important around more senior persons who may be even more isolated and lonely than others. Further, adults should be mindful around the youth by reassuring them they are safe and being a good role model in how you deal with stress.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
We know that this entire pandemic crisis is nothing like anything else we have seen in our lifetime. That just means that we have to work harder, together, to see our way through this. Our lives have changed for now, but we need to maintain our physical and mental health to meet our new normal going forward. Take care of yourselves and to the extent that you can, others. They will be grateful and you will feel better by helping someone else.
There’s not just one way to deal with stress. So it is important that you find a way that works for you. In case you or someone you know is suffering from other mental health effects such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, increased physical and substance abuse, or suicidal tendencies, there are various organizations, both regionally and nationally, available to help in addition to doctors. You can try contacting one of these providers, some of which are free, or recommend them to your community.
Institute on Aging: This organization has the Friendship Line at (800) 971-0016 — a 24-hour toll-free hotline for older adults and adults with disabilities.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Hotline: The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365-days-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Local Resources: Call 2-1-1 referrals for health and social services; Behavioral Health CARES Line (800) 706-7500; Substance Use CARES Line (800) 499-3008; and 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care in Riverside (951) 509-2499, in Palm Springs (442) 268-7000, in Perris (951) 349-4195.
Sandra Gottlieb, Esq. is the managing partner of SwedelsonGottlieb, a law firm that solely represents community associations throughout California in all matters. Ms. Gottlieb can be contacted at slg@sghoalaw.com and (310)207-2207.
Adrian Chiang, Esq. is an associate attorney at SwedelsonGottlieb. he can be contacted at ac@sghoalaw.com and 800.372.2207 x211.
TIME HONORED MEMBER
By Grace Paluck, CamEx, CCAM
Kimberly Burnett DSI Security
Kimberly is the Business Development Manager for DSI Security Services. She has been a member of CAI-CV for five years and currently serves on the Quorum Committee. Kimberly originally joined for the education and social events (her favorite is Corks for CLAC). She has enjoyed volunteering at the golf event and is always looking for ways to be of assistance. She is also an Educated Business Partner.
Kimberly is a California native and loves splitting her time between the beach and the desert. She lives with her rescue dog, Princess, and her family, in Orange County. Kim graduated with a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine School of Business.
When asked about someone who encouraged her, Kimberly mentioned a college professor who inspired her as a sophomore. She said, “This professor taught me I am the director of my own movie and I determine the stars, co-stars and story that is told.”
Her favorite saying is, “Do things right the first time!” The book that never leaves her nightstand is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tole. It is a constant reminder of living in the moment. In her spare time, she likes to doyoga, cook, hike, spend time at Lake Havasu and take road trips on the back of a Harley.
DSI Security Services is a complete security solution provider. Their services include providing unarmed/armed security guard services along with electronic solutions. They have organically grown to be the 13th largest security provider in the USA. DSI is run by second and third generation family members. DSI has been in business for 51 years and is a Certified Woman-Owned Business.
Kimberly can be reached by email at kburnett@dsisecurity.com.
Grace Paluck is the Division Executive Vice President for The Management Trust. She can be reached at (760) 776-5100 or by email at grace.paluck@managementtrust.com. •Landscape Management •Arbor Service
•Landscape Design •Landscape & Hardscape Installation •Water Conservation Specialist •Growers of Exotic Palms & Desert Accents
We value and respect your landscaping investment and are dedicated to you and your satisfaction. Phone: 760- 343-0162 • Fax: 760-343-4804 P.O. BOX 265 Thousand Palms CA 92276 Email: office@proland-inc.com www.prolandscapingca.com
Turning Common Interests Into Common Ground
General Legal Counsel
Governing Document Amendments Legal Opinions Contracts Dispute Resolution
Civil Litigation
Enforcement Insurance Coverage/ Bad Faith Construction
Assessment Collections
866.788.9998
