Tips for Health Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 has upended our daily routines, our future plans, and our lifestyles. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children
It’s time to take care of yourself. Practicing self-care can help you and your family be better equipped to get through this time together.
Here are a few tips you can use to take care of yourself:
- Physical health:
- Fuel your body by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water.
- Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
- Exercise every day. Take deep breaths and stretch often.
- Avoid risky or destructive behaviors, such as abusing alcohol or drugs, excessive gambling, or ignoring public health recommendations.
- Spend time outside, such as going for a walk in the park, but follow social distancing guidelines.
- Mental health:
- Set and maintain a routine at home. Focus on things you can control.
- Use technology to maintain social connections with your loved ones. Consider a regular check-in schedule to give you something to look forward to.
- Focus your thoughts on the present and things to be grateful for today. Listen to music or read books.
- Consume reliable news sources that report facts, and avoid media that sensationalizes emotions. Limit your exposure or take a break from the news and social media if you find that it makes you anxious.
- Lean on your personal beliefs and faith for support.
- Stay active
- It’s pretty well known that exercise is really good for both our physical and mental health. There are heaps of different types of exercise you can do from home, thanks to YouTube and apps. We’ve listed a few free ones (share your tips for others on the ReachOut Forums), or continue doing whatever works for you.
- Test Ride a Workout You’ve Never Done Before
- Take a Forest Bath
- The Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” simply means walking in an area with trees and deeply inhaling the air. Trees release certain chemicals, like terpenes, that have been associated with activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which sends your body into “chill out” de-stress mode.
- Reach for High-Protein Snacks When You Need an Energy Boost
- What should you be noshing on when you feel hungry? Keep high-protein bites on hand to help you get to the end of your to-do list for the day. You’ve heard it before: Protein helps you feel full longer and avoid the energy crash you might experience after the high of a carb-heavy snack subsides. Think hard-boiled eggs, nuts, Greek yogurt, and nut butters, and veggies.
- Give Yourself a Meditation Break
- You don’t need any special equipment or space for this one; you can do it anytime, anywhere. Simply put, meditation is thinking deeply or focusing your mind for a set period of time.