5 Ways to Remain Stress-free for You and Your Pet during Lockdown
The coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China’s Hubei province, in late 2019. Cases of the disease it causes, COVID-19, grew by several thousand per day in China and other parts of the world.
The number of infections appearing each day, owing in large part to containment efforts, but the outbreak is now a global pandemic. The coronavirus has killed more than 30,000 people and infected over 630,000 around the world. Large outbreaks in the United States, Italy, Iran and elsewhere have propelled a spike in international cases across more than 176 countries and territories.
Now there’s a COVID-19 lockdown everywhere and you’re stuck in homes, feeling pandemic panic. Fears about this can take an emotional toll, especially if you’re already living with an anxiety disorder. But don’t worry, you’re not powerless. Taking care of your mental health at home is important to keep not only yourself and your family healthy but also your precious pet sane. Get started on taking care of yourself with our special offer on personal therapy. The following tips can help you get through this stressful time.
Stay informed But Don’t Obsessively Check the News!
- Stick to trustworthy sources such as the CDC, the World Health Organization, and your local public health authorities
- Limit how often you check for updates. Constant monitoring of news and social media feeds can fuel anxiety rather than easing it
- Ask someone reliable to share important updates instead of checking yourself
- Be careful what you share. Do your best to verify the information before passing it on. We all need to do our part to avoid spreading rumors and creating unnecessary panic
Keeping you and your family emotionally healthy is now easy at personal therapy.
Focus on the Things You Can Control!
When you feel yourself getting caught up in fear of what might happen, try to shift your focus to things you can control. For example, you can’t control how severe the coronavirus outbreak is in your city or town, but you can take steps to reduce your risk (and the risk you’ll unknowingly spread it to others), such as:
- Washing your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds) with soap and water or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
- Avoiding touching your face (particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth)
- Staying home as much as possible, even if you don’t feel sick
- Avoiding crowds and gatherings of 10 or more people
- Avoiding all non-essential shopping and travel
- Keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and others when out
- Getting plenty of sleep, which helps support your immune system
- Following all recommendations from health authorities
- Strengthening your immune system by eating Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables e.g. kiwis, pineapples, asparagus, lemons, oranges, Indian gooseberry, etc.
Call Your Friends!
Keeping in touch with people over the phone, video calling, or through online services is a great idea too. Loneliness can be a result of the self-isolation required during a quarantine. Not seeing coworkers, friends, and family members for long periods can lead to bouts of sadness. To stay connected with people despite having to stay indoors, calling people to stay in touch can be a good way to manage the quarantine blues.
Stay Active with Your Pet!
Spending time with your pet can help reduce stress and anxiety. Instead of going to the gym, take a walk with your dog. Or include your dog on your run or bike ride. You get a good workout and your pup gets some quality time with you.
Walking is healthy for you and your dog. It is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. Not only it’s a physical activity, but it’s mental stimulation for your dog to smell, see and hear beyond the limits of your yard. Your pets sense your tension, and that builds their tension. Keeping yourself stress-free, keeps your pet stress-free. Get the help you need through our special offer on personal therapy.
What Else to Do?
Take care of your body and spirit by being kind to yourself and by taking time out for activities you enjoy. Help others, it will make you feel better. The ultimate goal is to find a way to mitigate your stress, while still keeping up to date on information that will keep you and your family safe. We want to maintain the gravity of the situation. We can remain familiar with the big picture.
