LIFESTYLE
TIPS TO STAYING HAPPY AND HEALTHY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES By: Pamela Garber
We’ve all had to find a way to make the homefront a comfy haven during this time of crisis. Many of us have morphed our homes into business offices, classrooms, makeshift gyms and family reunion venues. While channeling our inner Martha Stewart, we are bombarded with pandemic news alerts in the background. Multi-tasking takes on a whole new level of stress as we contemplate our country’s physical safety, foreign relations and economic survival while running on treadmills, cooking family meals, maintaining our careers and schooling our kids — all from home.
Depression and Anxiety are the Enemies of Success Depression and anxiety are often experienced as a pair. Structure, routine, certainty and connection to others help to combat depression and anxiety. Open communication with others fosters connection. By heading this depression/anxiety duo off at the pass, physical stagnation, emotional sadness, sickness and other symptoms are bypassed. Thinking about the needs of others while trying to be helpful and supportive takes your mind off your own problems and can fill you with a sense of gratification.
An Assignment
We Still Have Choices
Finding effective ways to stay healthy and happy in uncertain times is like getting the first assignment of a new job. Like any assignment, we need a vision of what successfully reaching our goal looks like. For situations that have no clear end date, achieving desirable results are best reached when the focus is on rating the overall productivity of each day — and not solely on individual tasks, for example, seeing success in the mood and functionality of those in the household or remote network. Success can refer to an environment where each member is engaged in outside communication, recreational time with the family, work or school, and some physical activity.
In mid-pandemic, we still have control over our behavioral choices. We still get to choose how we spend our time, how we conduct ourselves with others in our lives, and how we use our resources. Take satisfaction in knowing that you have the power to chart your course and sort your priorities in the basic things in life that really matter.
Organization Counts Writing down the more specific tasks, such as paying bills, canceling appointments and following up with doctors helps maintain organization. Being organized results in a steady momentum of productivity. A clear “to do” list with strategic checkmarks is much more visually friendly than a pile of phone numbers, bills and Post-It notes.
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SHALE MAGAZINE MAY/JUNE 2020
A Reciprocal Relationship Physical and emotional health have a reciprocal relationship. Focusing on physical health is focusing on emotional health. Steps for maintaining physical health include implementing a set sleep routine. Sleep routines typically start with winding down an hour or so before your desired bedtime. The next two vital steps are keeping a balanced diet and getting steady exercise. All three components — sleep, diet, exercise are important, but sleep is first for a reason. Under times of psychological stress, the body and mind need time to recharge. This need to recharge with sleep is always paramount but heightened in times of crisis. This
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The Status Quo
