What to Do When Things Go Sideways
By Sandy Schroeder
Do you remember the movie Sideways. It was a funny favorite of mine, in which the characters just keep going sideways in one skirmish after another. That was funny, but the health situation we face is not. Now we are all going sideways in a very serious struggle with so many challenges. None of it is funny, and much of it is sad.
As we practice social distancing, and stay at home most of the time, sadness, anxiety, and loneliness can build. If you can relate, you may be feeling the effects and really looking for ways to keep your balance.
I always enjoy a good breakfast, but I find it becomes more of an effort if I have worried about the current crisis and not slept well. One thing really can lead to more if we forget to push back and find good solutions to keep us focused and calm, according to WellAndGood.com.
Doctors tell us social isolation and loneliness are linked to increased heart disease, ranking right up there with smoking and obesity in negative impact.
Recent studies of over 700 adults at the Stanford School of Medicine said 55 percent of those adults said they felt the coronavirus had impacted their mental health.
Here are some simple steps to fight the stress, isolation and overall anxiety.
Stick to your normal schedule - Shower, dress, eat a good breakfast and tend to the normal demands of your day. If you are now working at home, make sure you have a designated workspace and maintain regular hours that suit you and your family.
Be careful but don't obsess - As we all follow the guidelines, it is important to be careful and thorough without obsessing about the worst possible outcome. Just follow through with masks, social distancing, and careful handling of deliveries such as groceries. If you go overboard, you may find yourself going into a spin over the whole thing in an effort to achieve 100 percent results. Follow directions and stay calm as you cover the bases and then let it go.
Eat healthy regular meals - Enjoy fruits, veggies, fresh fish, lean meats and poultry as you treat your family to their favorites. If it works for you, see if you can come up with healthy versions of treasured comfort foods. Keep snacks healthy with nuts, apples, pears and grapes. Toss in some treats and pizza nights too. Overall, let regular meals be one more way to stick to normal.
Fight sadness and anxiety with creativity - It's easy to become overloaded, but inspiration could come to the rescue. Take a few minutes to consider where music, story-telling, crafts, puzzles or fitness sessions might lighten your day and keep spirits up. Whatever works, keep it up, and look for more ideas.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Spring, Tex.