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We would be lying to say we aren’t nervous and worried about the outcomes of the COVID-19 crisis. Being stressed in the middle of a world-crippling pandemic is completely normal. However, there are things you can do to help you cope with the stress of jobs, home, and the challenges of the everchanging world in which we live.

Exercise

While you might be finding it difficult to get off the couch and move, there are a lot of exercise options to help you remain active and ultimately remove a lot of stress from your life. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise is key in removing stress in the three following ways:

  • Exercise increases your endorphin levels.
  • Endorphins are responsible for helping you feel happy and good about everything happening, as they stabilize your mood and help you adapt.
  • As you exercise, endorphins in your brain are released in an increased manner, leaving you happier and more relaxed than before you began exercising.

The thing to remember about exercising is your options come in all shapes and sizes. Basketball, weightlifting, running, walking — you name it. The advantage of so many options means you can do something you love, inspiring you to remain active and less stressed than before.

In today’s cell phone world, you can find a wide variety of mobile app trainers to help you stay on track. Peloton, Nike Training Club, Fitbod Gym and Home Workouts are a few of the options available. As you start your workout journey, be sure to explore these options to help inspire you to remain on track.

Music

We live in a world where we have access to more technology and distractions than at any point in history. While many of these distractions, like social media, can induce more stress from the influx of information, there are ways to distract yourself without seeing all the noise. Listening to music is a great way to escape from your surroundings. Hone in on the lyrics and let your favorite band or musician take to a place you’ve never been.

Reading

Ah, yes. Books. Many people probably forget that books are a popular medium of gaining a new set of knowledge and escape from the world around you. Books are great for the escape, and also take a long period to get through. In the midst of the stay-at-home orders taking place across the country, books are a great time killer.

If you’re unsure of what book to pick up and read, there are a lot of great resources to explore different reading options such as: Goodreads, Amazon, library lists, blogs, and even social media. Each of these sources can provide you with a big list of options for you to use as a major escape to help take your mind off of the stress in your life.

 

Meditation

Meditation is a broad term that can be used to describe a wide variety of different activities. In this case, meditation is simply taking a few moments to breathe and clear your mind. It’s the practice of being mindful and learning that not every stressor requires an emotional response. As you go throughout your day, take a few moments to step away from your kids, and maybe even your phone, to take some deep breaths and refocus. As you breathe, picture positive, happy thoughts as you focus on the positive and not the stressors.

Meditation can sound intimidating for anyone who has never done that before. There are a large number of digital apps to help you make meditation part of your daily life. Some of the more popular options are: Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer, and Simple Habit. No matter which app you choose, having one to remind you to take a few moments to destress is only going to help you feel more calm, happy, and positive.

How are you overcoming stress? If you’re doing something different, let us know!

Culture 04.03.20