Cooperative Living May 2020 - 18

HealthyTake | Story courtesy of StatePoint Media
DURING COVID-19:
Take Simple Steps to
Establish a New Normal
t's always the right time to commit
to healthy habits and behaviors. With
the COVID-19 pandemic upending
so many routines, experts say that
focusing on the things within your
control is particularly important.
" A lot of people are grieving at this
moment. Some are grieving loss of
loved ones, but people can also grieve
the loss of employment, routines or the
ability to be with family and friends, "
says Dr. Patrice A. Harris, president of
the American Medical Association.
" Everyone should know that these
feelings are normal, and they should
allow themselves to experience them. "
Here are some simple steps from
the AMA to maintain your physical
and mental health during the unusual
times of COVID-19:
I
There's a way to adjust
successfully to the new normal
in the time of COVID-19.
4. Take time to turn off social
media and the news. It is critical
at this moment to know what is
happening in the world and to stay
connected with family and friends,
but if social media and 24-hour news
are making you anxious, consume
them in doses.
5. Feel your feelings. It's natural to
worry and be afraid at a moment like
this. It is also important to remember
there are physicians, public health
officials at all levels of government,
as well as experts in the private sector,
working tirelessly to limit the spread
and impact of COVID-19.
6. Stay connected. Social media
gives us a common connection point,
but there is a real opportunity at this
moment to stay connected via phone
calls and video chats with friends,
family and even people you haven't
heard from in a while.
7. If you have children, talk to them
in an age-appropriate way and avoid
ascribing feelings to them. Don't say,
" I know you're scared. " Kids are
observant and they're wise. They may
know things are different, but they may
not be afraid. Let them know smart
people are working on ways to keep
us all safe. Model healthy coping. ■
1. Channel your feelings of anxiety
or helplessness into action. Practice
physical distancing and make sure
to wash your hands with warm
soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
Create a safety action plan for you
and your family. Consider small
gestures, like offering to pick up
groceries for an older or at-risk
neighbor.
2. Take care of yourself physically.
Get as much sleep as you can, try to
include fruits and vegetables into your
diet, and make sure you move. With
many gyms and parks closed and
physical distancing in place, it may
seem harder to work out, so consider
options at home to stay active.
3. Create new routines. With more
people working from home and/or
caring for school-aged children,
building routines is more important
than ever. Save time for work, time for
meals and time for decompressing to
create a new normal.
16 | Cooperative Living | May 2020
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Cooperative Living May 2020

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