ASK
THE
EXPERTS
Studies say stress from COVID-19 remains pervasive. How are you keeping your stress levels down or lowering them when things get tense?
Debbie Hoffmann, CAPP
Melonie Curry, MBA
Scott C. Bauman, CAPP
Victor Hill, CAPP, MPA
Nicole Chinea, CAPP
Director, Communications & Marketing, Special Events & Visitor Parking, and Parking Services Texas A&M University
Staff Analyst ParkHouston
Manager of Parking & Mobility Services City of Aurora, Colo.
Account Manager T2 Systems
Senior Project Manager WGI
I try to remain especially calm and gracious when things get tense to help remove the emotion and get back to focusing on the problem. Getting to solutions is therapeutic for us all. To keep my stress levels down, I spend time each day focusing on something that makes me feel good, such as sending a small surprise to a friend, exercise, healthy eating, fresh air or reconnecting with people in my inner circle.
For empty nesters, there are no distractions and you may be alone for most of the day. We can sit in one place and stare at a screen for eight to 10 hours. Go outside, get some fresh air, move, stretch, and take a break. Make sure you move.
I remind (and often force) myself to slow down, take a break, and relax as often as possible—to just stop everything I am doing and take a few deep relaxing breaths to clear my head of all the crazy COVID-19 noise and distractions.
20 PARKING & MOBILITY / OCTOBER 2020 / PARKING-MOBILITY.ORG
I changed jobs and moved my family from Wisconsin to Virginia in the midst of all of this. I cannot overstate the importance of staying connected with family, friends, and colleagues to help manage stress and tension. Our physical distance is limited but our connections are more vital than ever for health and sanity. Keep reaching out so we can lift each other up.
Adapting to the new way of working post-COVID has been a challenge for me. I tend to use exercise and getting outdoors more to keep the stress at bay. I don’t always have as much time as I would like to exercise or get outside, but every little bit helps on those days when things get tense.
