How to relax during coronavirus pandemic
By
Staff, AccuWeather
Published Apr 29, 2020 6:34 PM EDT
Dr. E explains why playing is so important, not just for kids, but adults as well.
With a staggering amount of new COVID-19 cases and deaths being reported every single day, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the current state of affairs. Between a break from our everyday work and school routines, sheltering at home, skyrocketing unemployment rates, waiting on stimulus checks, you’re not alone if you feel a sense of uncertainty and despair when it comes to coronavirus. We’re taking steps to protect our physical health from coronavirus, like wearing cloth face masks and social distancing, but what’s being done to make sure our mental health is in tip-top shape? Chronic anxiety and stress can swallow our emotions and behavior by making us grouchy, impatient, less enthusiastic about our lives, and depressed. The new normal COVID-19 is bringing to our lives is only adding fuel to this emotional fire. To keep stress at bay and reduce its impacts in our lives, research shows it's helpful to find and practice healthy ways to manage it.
Here are four simple steps you can take to relax and usher in a sense of calm during this trying time of the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova
Ekaterina Bolovtsova
If you’re experiencing stress or a panic attack, it often feels like the walls are closing in. Every second can seem like an eternity and you can’t breathe. Some panic attacks are so severe they require a trip to the emergency room. Remembering that this is temporary, trying to remain calm and simply breathe can be effective. Start by sitting up straight, breathe in so your rib cage expands, then breathe out slowly. This is a way to relax the muscles, reduce tension and the likelihood of muscle and back pain. To keep your mind in check, you can focus on a word, a montra, or even your breath. Feel the breath coming in and out of the nostrils. What you’re trying to do is focus on something other than your problems. Do this for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Andrea Piacquadio
Just relax! We’ve heard it millions of times and it’s often easier said than done. Relaxation is crucial to keeping our mental health in check during this coronavirus pandemic. Start by simply sitting or lying down, then close your eyes. This next step sounds silly but is highly effective in the relaxation technique. Tense your face by clenching your teeth and furrowing your brow for 5 seconds, then release it. Next, tense your shoulders by bringing them up to your ears for 5 seconds then release. Tense your arm muscles and hold for 5 seconds, then release. Continue to tighten and release each group of muscles until you reach your toes. Focus on how light your body feels now as you feel the stress wash away. Breathe gently for a few moments then open your eyes
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Andrea Piacquadio
We all need an escape from the current situation COVID-19 is bringing us, even if it’s just for 5 or 10 minutes. Sit or lie down and close your eyes. Now, just imagine you’re in a place you love. This may be the beach, your favorite restaurant, the mountains, the house you grew up in, your favorite park or any place you hold dear. Breathe slowly and deeply as you imagine what you see, feel, hear, taste, and smell in your special place.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao
Nathan Dumlao
Living during the coronavirus is new and uncharted territory for all of us. We’ve never had to deal with a situation like this before and there really is no rule book on how to best adapt. Be patient with yourself and with the process. It’s important to find a relaxation method that works best for you on an ongoing basis, not just during uncertain times. Relaxing regularly can give you a place of calm to return to when the going gets tough.
Photo by NeONBRAND
NeONBRAND
If you’re becoming overwhelmed by this grueling news cycle, it’s perfectly okay to step away for a moment, but, it’s still important to stay on top of the latest developments. AccuWeather is making it easy for you to stay informed at your own pace. We’re constantly updating the newest information on the number of COVID-19 cases and recovery and how the pandemic is impacting our everyday lives. If you’re on the go, take our coronavirus podcast and our mobile apps for Apple and Android devices with you.
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News / Health
How to relax during coronavirus pandemic
By Staff, AccuWeather
Published Apr 29, 2020 6:34 PM EDT
Dr. E explains why playing is so important, not just for kids, but adults as well.
With a staggering amount of new COVID-19 cases and deaths being reported every single day, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the current state of affairs. Between a break from our everyday work and school routines, sheltering at home, skyrocketing unemployment rates, waiting on stimulus checks, you’re not alone if you feel a sense of uncertainty and despair when it comes to coronavirus. We’re taking steps to protect our physical health from coronavirus, like wearing cloth face masks and social distancing, but what’s being done to make sure our mental health is in tip-top shape? Chronic anxiety and stress can swallow our emotions and behavior by making us grouchy, impatient, less enthusiastic about our lives, and depressed. The new normal COVID-19 is bringing to our lives is only adding fuel to this emotional fire. To keep stress at bay and reduce its impacts in our lives, research shows it's helpful to find and practice healthy ways to manage it.
Here are four simple steps you can take to relax and usher in a sense of calm during this trying time of the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova
1- Breathe
If you’re experiencing stress or a panic attack, it often feels like the walls are closing in. Every second can seem like an eternity and you can’t breathe. Some panic attacks are so severe they require a trip to the emergency room. Remembering that this is temporary, trying to remain calm and simply breathe can be effective. Start by sitting up straight, breathe in so your rib cage expands, then breathe out slowly. This is a way to relax the muscles, reduce tension and the likelihood of muscle and back pain. To keep your mind in check, you can focus on a word, a montra, or even your breath. Feel the breath coming in and out of the nostrils. What you’re trying to do is focus on something other than your problems. Do this for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
2- Relax slowly
Just relax! We’ve heard it millions of times and it’s often easier said than done. Relaxation is crucial to keeping our mental health in check during this coronavirus pandemic. Start by simply sitting or lying down, then close your eyes. This next step sounds silly but is highly effective in the relaxation technique. Tense your face by clenching your teeth and furrowing your brow for 5 seconds, then release it. Next, tense your shoulders by bringing them up to your ears for 5 seconds then release. Tense your arm muscles and hold for 5 seconds, then release. Continue to tighten and release each group of muscles until you reach your toes. Focus on how light your body feels now as you feel the stress wash away. Breathe gently for a few moments then open your eyes
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
3- Visualize
We all need an escape from the current situation COVID-19 is bringing us, even if it’s just for 5 or 10 minutes. Sit or lie down and close your eyes. Now, just imagine you’re in a place you love. This may be the beach, your favorite restaurant, the mountains, the house you grew up in, your favorite park or any place you hold dear. Breathe slowly and deeply as you imagine what you see, feel, hear, taste, and smell in your special place.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao
4- Be patient
Living during the coronavirus is new and uncharted territory for all of us. We’ve never had to deal with a situation like this before and there really is no rule book on how to best adapt. Be patient with yourself and with the process. It’s important to find a relaxation method that works best for you on an ongoing basis, not just during uncertain times. Relaxing regularly can give you a place of calm to return to when the going gets tough.
Photo by NeONBRAND
If you’re becoming overwhelmed by this grueling news cycle, it’s perfectly okay to step away for a moment, but, it’s still important to stay on top of the latest developments. AccuWeather is making it easy for you to stay informed at your own pace. We’re constantly updating the newest information on the number of COVID-19 cases and recovery and how the pandemic is impacting our everyday lives. If you’re on the go, take our coronavirus podcast and our mobile apps for Apple and Android devices with you.
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