Stress Relief Advice

It is completely normal to feel anxious about the changes in our world today. Don't expect yourself not to be affected by these challenges. What you're feeling is normal.

Here is some advice from Nicole Iverson Priesmeyer - Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist:

* Limit your exposure to news about COVID-19 - Choose a couple of times each day to check-in and watch or read updates from a reputable news source then go do something else.

* Practice deep breathing - Try the 4-7-8 method. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds and then exhale for 8 seconds. This sends calming messages to our brain and helps us release stress that we may not even realize we are holding onto.

* Connect with others - Call and video chat with your friends and family. Discuss your concerns about what is going on with COVID-19 and then talk about things that have nothing to do with it. Connection with others and hope for the future are some of the most healing things that we can do to alleviate our stress.

* Meditate, Pray and Journal - Each day, write down 5 things that you are happy about even with the current state of our country and social distancing. It's easy to get caught up in all the things we wish were different but we can make a purposeful effort to focus on what is good.

* Move your body and get some sunshine - Breathing in the fresh air from your porch or taking a walk down the street can help fight off the social distancing blues.