Are you feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, maybe even a little scared amid the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you are not alone. During these unprecedented times, we are all experiencing a wide range of emotions. Just know it is normal and acceptable to feel this way during a crisis.
As we care for our families and elderly loved ones in our lives, now more than ever, it’s important to take proper steps to manage stress and practice self-care.
Here are our top tips for managing and reducing your stress during Covid-19.
- As best as you can, keep your daily routine. Routines for everyone in your care are essential because they create a sense of normalcy and control in our lives. This sense of control then allows us to manage the challenges that come our way.
- If you must stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle – including proper diet, sleep, exercise, and keeping in contact with family and friends by phone, email, video chat or text.
- Focus on the things you can control. Don’t dwell on the things you cannot control.
- Take care of your body and find healthy ways to deal with your emotions. If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk to a sibling, a friend or a healthcare professional.
- Limit everyone’s time in front of the television, as well as computers and cell phones. Reducing the time that you and your family spend watching and listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting is a good thing.
- Consider ways to help others. Support your elderly neighbors by picking up groceries for them and leaving them at their door. Donate to a local charity. Support local businesses by purchasing meals or gift cards. By focusing on acts of kindness and doing good deeds for others, you can experience reduced stress and a greater sense of well-being.
- Take time each day for self-care. Self-care can include exercise, meditation, walking outside, reading, journaling, gardening, cooking a healthy meal or enjoying a favorite hobby. Pick one thing and do it at the same time each day. It will help anchor your day and provide a welcome respite.
- Be positive and encourage others. However you engage with family and friends – either by phone, text or social media – be optimistic. Your words matter and can have a positive impact on others.
Recognizing and coping with stress in a positive, healthy way can help you remain calm. Recognizing stress in others and lending support to those around us can make everyone stronger.
If you are caring for an aging loved one and you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, FirstLight Home Care can help. We are open and ready to serve. Our in-home caregivers continue to make it a priority to keep the safety and well-being of our clients at the forefront. We’ve taken extra care to provide our team with the most up-to-date safety information and training to keep everyone protected and healthy during this time. Learn more about what we are doing to help and support those families in our care.
How are you managing your stress during Covid-19? Share your tips and join the conversation on our Facebook page.