5 great ways to cope with coronavirus stress

High levels of stress can negatively affect your body in many different ways. However, there are ways to combat these issues, stay healthy and maintain productivity.

Stress levels have become elevated by the global spread of COVID-19, which has affected people’s health, family life, school, businesses and financial situations. Not to mention, social distancing and shelter-in-place orders also have people grappling with isolation, uncertainty and to some extent, a sense of grief and loss.

With all the changes that have occurred in what was once a predictable life, managing the day-to-day can be overwhelming.

All of this leads to chronic stress, which translates to stress hormones (like cortisol) lingering for too long in our circulation. Research shows that high levels of stress can negatively affect the immune system, cause inflammation, heart disease and premature aging.

However, there are ways to combat these issues, stay healthy and maintain productivity. Here are five strategies that can be helpful in reducing stress so you can continue to be your best self, especially during this unprecedented time:

 

1. Create a routine

First and foremost, it’s important to develop a daily routine. Map out your main responsibilities to help envision what your day will look like. In addition to outlining each day’s tasks and goals, don’t forget to implement a routine that includes sleeping well. Not getting a good night’s sleep means your body won’t get the critical recovery period it needs to function each day.

Make sure your routine includes time for yourself. Fill that time up with reading books, studying a new language or taking a course online. Take advantage of these next few weeks to improve yourself, especially now that you’re spending more time at home.

 

2. Meditate

Take the time to meditate every day. Meditating allows you to calm your thoughts and give your brain a break. Get your mind to stop thinking of the things you are afraid of, especially in times like now when things are uncertain.

Meditating in the morning allows you to start your day with a clear and calm vision. At night, if racing thoughts keep you from falling asleep or cause you to experience a restless sleep, try simple breathing exercises and meditation to settle the mind and restore your body.

 

3. Practice visualization

Visualizing your day will help you concentrate and allow you to focus on the good things in your day. It’s a great way to get your mind to focus on positive feelings and thoughts. Visualization also generates energy. Most of us go through the day using a bullish approach, thinking if we work the full eight to 10 hours, we’ll get more done. Instead, productivity goes down, stress levels go up, and you have very little energy left over for your personal life.

 

4. Put down your phone

Another element that can cause a higher level of stress is technology. Our cortisol levels become elevated when our phones are in sight or nearby, or even when we hear it or “think” we hear it.

During this time, we’re conducting every aspect of business virtually. We’re spending more time glued to our phones — while we eat, sit at our desk, socialize and even as we lie in bed before a night’s sleep. To reduce stress, take a mental break, and put down your phone.

Try taking a tech-free lunch break, or schedule a 10-15 minute walk without your phone. When this isn’t possible, try to bring nature in by looking at calming photos, or sit by a window with natural light. Research has shown that looking at images of nature, such as trees, has helped people lower heart rates and recover from stressful episodes.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to take time for yourself and keep your stress levels low. That will go a long was to elevating your immune response and keeping your healthy.

 

5. Exercise

Exercise is a great way to release “feel-good” neurotransmitters in the brain called endorphins, which act as natural painkillers and mood elevators.

One way to infuse exercise into the workday is to schedule breaks throughout the day such as walking around the office, stretching at your desk or doing a gentle breathing exercise. If you concentrate on work for 60-90 minutes, followed by a brief period of recovery, you can clear the buildup of stress and rejuvenate yourself to get through a long day.

— Inman News