Anxiety at Home | Amidst COVID-19
e at CommonGrounds take the relationship between work and mental health very seriously – and we know that right now, many are struggling with the anxiety that comes with long-term isolation. It can be hard to stay positive, motivated and balanced – and on the hard days, we need strategies and tools to cope.
Here are some tips that have benefited the CommonGrounds team since the onset of COVID-19:
- Find a creative outlet | Whether it’s an adult coloring book, paint-by-numbers, cooking or baking. Research shows that creativity helps focus the mind and can be a soothing form of meditation for most.
- Get outside | Natural sunlight helps mitigate pain and fresh air boosts the immune system. Take a walk, try yoga in your backyard, or hike somewhere that will allow you to practice appropriate social distancing.
- Get writing | Expressing your thoughts on paper can be cathartic. We like the idea of making a “fears list” to help combat anxiety – write everything that you are worried about (really, everything!) then start organizing your thoughts and make a second list of the items you can control and improve.
- Listen to music that makes you feel calm | Make a COVID-19 playlist of songs and artists that bring about a sense of peace for you and listen while you’re working or doing things around the house. Research shows that music lowers blood pressure and relieves tension.
- Try a breathing exercise | One in particular is the 4-7-8 breath. Breathe in for four seconds, hold the breath for 7 seconds and breathe out slowly over 8 seconds. There are resources that provide help with breathing exercises and meditation (we like this app).
- Stay in touch | Social distancing measures make it difficult to connect with friends and family the way we are accustomed to, but, phone calls and video still provide a beneficial level of interaction. Studies show that a foolproof way to improve mood is to work on building social interactions – and could even lower risk for dementia.
Above all, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. In the United States, 1 in 5 adults struggle with mental illness and that number is likely even higher during this pandemic. We at CommonGrounds are with you and hope our guidance helps even just a little. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home. We’ll see you soon. #TogetherAsOne
