How To Protect Your Wellbeing From Coronavirus

More Than The Virus

COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, is more than a virus. For those who become infected, it is a life-threatening disease. Undoubtedly, we must exercise every precaution to prevent the Coronavirus spread. But avoiding the virus is just the first step.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been infected and the number grows daily. However, hundreds of millions of people have had their lives turned upside down. Nations have imposed quarantines. US states and cities have closed schools. Restaurants have restricted service to carry out and delivery. Companies search for remote work solutions. Many workers face layoffs.

An Ounce Of Prevention….

A key to fighting any pandemic is precaution. Every health system has finite capacity. Despite heroic efforts by nurses, doctors and other clinicians there is only so much care any system can deliver. So patients do not inundate the care system during a pandemic like the Coronavirus, we need to flatten the curve by taking precautions and avoiding infection. This same approach applies to wellbeing.

There is limited capacity to handle mental health and spiritual health as well. Changes like closing schools, remote work, empty shelves in grocery stores, etc. cause stress. Unchecked this stress can lead to fear, loneliness, depression, substance abuse, and other destructive behaviors. There is already an epidemic of stress-related illnesses like heart disease. We also have record numbers of mental health issues, from anxiety to deaths of despair. However, with focus and preparation, this pandemic could lead to better well-being.

The Silver Lining

Change is hard. It often takes a crisis, personal or national, to inspire change. The Coronavirus pandemic may offer a rare opportunity for change. There may be a silver lining in this dark, dark cloud.

Food As Medicine

Try to avoid stockpiling processed foods. Look for foods that offer wholesome nutrition. Maybe try a few healthy homemade recipes while you are home. Use the opportunity to grow and care for yourself. Sitting on the couch with a bag of chips is not the answer.

• Let Food Be Thy Medicine
• Eating Tips To Avoid Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
• Items you’ll need at home during a coronavirus outbreak

Just Breathe

Mindfulness is popular topic. Anyone can practice mindfulness. It is not just for those who can afford the expense and time for personalized training. Just 5-10 minutes whenever you can find it can help. Mindfulness is about being present for yourself. It’s your awareness of what is in you and around you. As a simple exercise, just focus on your breathing. Inhale through your nose and feel your breath travel just bellow your bellybutton. Exhale and let your bellybutton push the air out of your body. Repeat for a few minutes. Enjoy.

For other mindfulness exercises, here are a few links:

• Meditation with Deepak Chopra, MD
• Meditation for Anxiety – Yoga With Adriene
• Abraham Hicks- General Wellbeing Meditation

Exercise

It may seem counter-intuitive but exercise plays a key role in our wellbeing. Stress and tension wears on our wellbeing. Exercise promotes not only cardio-vascular and muscle health but releases endorphins. These endorphins promote a positive feeling in the body. There are many exercises you can do in the privacy of your home:

• Starting Monday, tune in to Facebook Live for FREE at-home workouts for anyone and everyone. Get moving with our trainers and even some surprise celebrity guests for a 20 minute workout to relieve stress and stay active. Let’s workout through this. United We Move.

Spiritual Health

Spirituality is part of our wellbeing. Coronavirus offers an opportunity for introspection. For those who already have a spiritual life, this is a time to spend more time in that spirituality. For those who have not developed a spiritual life, the Coronavirus presents a time to consider spirituality. Here is a link that the Perry Family has found enlightening that we wish to share.

• Liberty Presbyterian Church