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COVID-19 IN 2021 CFinHd CaAlm Oin thSe

STRESS-RELIEVING ACTIVITIES If the pandemic has taken a toll on your mental health,
you aren’t alone. Discover ways to better cope with
Exercise. the stress.
Regular physical activity can reduce short-term
anxiety, chronic anxiety and depression. Get at least THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK has left little untouched. It’s changed how we
150 minutes of a moderate-intensity exercise weekly work, learn, socialize and celebrate. With the disruption to your daily routine,
doing an aerobic activity that you enjoy. Try walking combined with fear of the future or becoming ill, you may feel overly stressed
the dog, biking or playing tag with your kids. or anxious.

Dance it out. Long-term stress affects your health because your body remains on high
Even if you don’t have any moves, groove with family alert, and that can affect everything from your sleep to your eating patterns,
members to your favorite tunes. Dancing is a fun way and trigger anxiety and/or depression. Chronic stress may even disrupt your
to relax and shake off some stress. immune system and put you at risk for getting frequent viral infections,
according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Get outdoors.
Being in close proximity with nature can lower your But there’s good news. Finding healthier ways to cope with stress can help
stress levels and reduce anxiety and depression. Try reduce its negative health impacts. Give yourself permission to make stress
taking daily walks at a nearby park. If you work from relief a priority during uncertain times.
home, you can even move your workspace outdoors
when the weather is nice. SPEAK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN IF FEELINGS OF STRESS ARE
AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH OR ABILITY TO FUNCTION. YOUR
Have a spaced-out picnic. PHYSICIAN CAN REFER YOU TO A TRUSTED COUNSELOR OR MENTAL
Having a good social support system reduces the HEALTH PROVIDER. NEED A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN? VISIT
impact of stress and gives meaning and purpose WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG AND CLICK ON “FIND A DOCTOR.”
to life. Find safer ways to get together with friends
you haven’t seen, such as a socially distanced
picnic or BBQ.

Spread kindness.
The world has plenty of negativity going around.
Science has repeatedly shown that practicing love
and kindness makes you feel better. An act of
kindness can release oxytocin and endorphins—the
“happy hormones”—as well as promote healing and
reduce anxiety. Find small ways to incorporate more
daily kindness, such as writing a letter to a loved one
or leaving a stranger an encouraging note.

Make a ‘time-out’ basket.
Technology causes more anxiety and stress than you
may realize. Set a time each day to have a “time-
out” from all technology. Have a basket or bin full
of calming activities, such as a knitting project, adult
coloring book, puzzle or novel, that allow you to
disconnect.

Avoid these unhealthy coping strategies:
» Alcohol
» Drugs
» Overeating
» Smoking
» Spending too much time on social media

10 navicenthealth.org | SPRING 2021