The challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic have caused much lifestyle stress for all of us. It can be a natural response to be stuck in the blahs, what some have dubbed “languishing.” However, it’s vital to be resilient, connected and hopeful, using strategies to help you stay in the flow of life and weather the changes. Try these tips to stay steady:
Take care of your health. According to the CDC, American Medical Association and other health organizations, one of the most important things you can do is to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s what we currently know:
- The FDA fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (now known as Comirnaty) for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age or older. The vaccines Moderna and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson have FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for individuals age 18 and older. The CDC recommends children age 12 to 15 get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which has FDA EUA for this age group.
- Vaccines reduce a person’s risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19, including the Delta variant, which causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the virus.
- Vaccines are likely to keep you from getting severely ill or dying even if you do get COVID-19, and helps protect those around you from being infected and spreading the virus.
For updated, complete information about the COVID-19 vaccines, click here.
Keep up with your medications, tests, check-ups, etc. If you don’t need an in-person visit, schedule a virtual visit with your doctor.
Make an intention to eat right, get proper sleep and keep moving! Three good tips: Freeze fresh, cut-up fruits and veggies to make a delicious, nutritious smoothie. Make a strict rule to go to bed and rise at the same time daily. Get up and walk whenever possible–park farther from your destination, take Rover for a real walk instead of letting him out in the backyard, etc.
Find ways to recharge your batteries. That could mean tackling home or self-improvement projects, planning a future trip, or taking a course to learn tech skills or a new language.
Sit mindfully, focusing your breath on the present moment. Or simply step outside to gaze at trees, listen to the birds and feel the breeze, helping you feel more invigorated and less overwhelmed!
Keep reaching out to others. Make a plan to meet a friend or loved one. Togetherness–even if masked and distanced–helps boosts morale!
Ask for help. Need help with finances or bills or emotional, work or personal issues? Click here for some additional resources. Or turn to a qualified counselor for support and resources.
