Surviving the COVID 19 Lockdown

Manage Lockdown Fatigue
     ​and maintain social distancing!

​We know that it's working, but it's getting harder to do!
Here's some tips for dealing with the major stressors:

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Stressor 1: Too Much Bad News
Constant notifications from the media and friends can create overload

• Set a limit for yourself. Maybe 20 minutes of cable news, newspaper or a podcasts is enough. Invite yourself to "stop here".
• Set a limit for your family, friends and co-workers:

 "Hey, let's agree to only spend 5 minutes on this"." Let's agree to spend time talking about positive, productive or pleasant things.Tell me what you liked about that book you read. What are you watching on TV?"

Stressor 2: Nowhere to go....
Cabin fever, Lockdown fatigue, we all need some relief

• Plan a safe outing once a day.

        Gardening, a bike ride, a ride in the car to nowhere in particular.    
​        These all provide us with fresh air and a sense of relief.​

 Stressor 3: Mind-Body difficulties:
 Many people are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and depression

• Talk to someone who can listen compassionately

​         That can be your partner, a good friend, or a Tele-therapist.
         Insist on a compassionate voice when talking to yourself!.

• Join a Meditation practice or class

​    ​    Learning to work with your thoughts will strengthen your ability to    
​        manage stress, anxiety and depression.  Good class will teach you      
        how to breath diaphragmatically and encourage you to develop self-
        compassion.

• Aerobic exercise
  ​You may not feel like it, but getting your heart rate up for 20 minutes, at least 5 days a  week will provide welcome emotional relief!.  
  

       Gently convince yourself to "just try it" and see what happens!
       Great You Tube videos like this one with Jane Fonda, will guide you  
       through!     https://youtu.be/_UabUNrjSE4 

• Healthy diet
  Do have some comfort food! Just see about not overdoing.
  Feeling deprived may cause you to eat in ways that may be harmful to your health.
  Use an app like MyFitness Pal to help you stay on track.

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Stay safe, Be well, Encourage friends and family to stay the course!​





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​Want to read more?  Here's an article from the Cleveland Clinic.

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https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-ways-to-manage-stress-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/