Stress Management & Self-Care Tips to Help us Cope with COVID-19 Lifestyle Changes

Establish a daily routine that includes self-care time and time to accomplish important daily tasks
Set a consistent sleep schedule, waking up at about the same time every morning and going to bed at about the same time every night
Schedule balanced meals. Helpful resource: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Exercise for at least 20-30 min per day
Limit time spent watching the news and on social media
Reach out to friends, family, and/or neighbors via telephone or video platform
Direct your attention to the positive vs. negative. Look up mindfulness meditations online to help with this process
Practice relaxation exercises, such as, diaphragmatic breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation
Lastly, remember, while we cannot control everything that happens in the world, we can control how we choose to respond to it.

Lie on your back or prop yourself up on several pillows or get in a comfortable seated position.
With one hand on your belly and the other on your chest, breathe in.
Push your belly out as far as possible.
You should be able to feel the hand on your belly move out, while the hand on your chest should not move.
When you breathe out, you should be able to feel the hand on your belly move in.
Try to practice this for a few minutes every day.

Tighten and relax each muscle in your body.
You can begin at your toes and work your way up to your head.
Imagine your muscle groups relaxing and becoming heavy.
Let yourself relax more and more deeply.
When you’re done with this exercise, bring yourself back to alertness by moving your fingers and toes, moving your hands and feet, and them moving your entire body.

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