It has been over a month since most of us were forced out of our normal routine due to this pandemic and many of us are feeling stressed, with good reason.

Do you share my feelings of aggravation that this pandemic might have been diminished or avoided if we had clamped down earlier? Are you worried that you or your family members might get sick? Concerned that your business is already suffering? Are you worried that you will not be able to meet your ongoing financial obligations or that you are unable to provide financial support to loved ones that have lost their jobs?

All these concerns are real and the stress of it can make you sick. No one really knows when life will go back to ‘normal’, so we must take care of ourselves and fight off the stress. Here are some tips:

Eat Well. Eating a regular, well balanced diet will always make you feel better in general and will help you control your moods. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein for energy. Try not to skip meals as this may put you in bad mood – which will increase your stress.

Exercise. Working out regularly is one of the best ways to relax your body, mind, and soul. Do some cardio and strength training; focus on setting fitness goals and remember it does not have to be so arduous that it feels like torture; the idea is to reduce your stress. Most of all remember that doing any exercise is better than doing none at all.

Make Time for Hobbies. One thing this pandemic has delivered us is plenty of extra time, use some of this time every day to do something that makes you feel good, and it will help relieve your stress. Relaxing hobbies could include things like reading, knitting, puzzles, playing cards/board games, watching a movie, or working on an art project.

Spend Time with Your Pet. Spending time with your pet is a relaxing, enjoyable way to reduce stress and improve your mood. It is shown that interacting with pets helps release oxytocin into your brain, a chemical that promotes a positive mood. Having a pet also helps relieve stress by giving you a purpose, keeping you active and providing companionship.

Light a Candle. Burning a scented candle or using essential oils may help reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety. Several studies show that using scents to treat your mood (called aromatherapy) can be amazingly effective in decreasing anxiety. Some scents are especially calming, including lavender, rose, vetiver, bergamot, roman chamomile, neroli, frankincense, sandalwood, ylang ylang, orange/orange blossom and geranium.

Listen to Soothing Music. Listening to slow-paced instrumental music can induce the relaxation response by helping reduce blood pressure and heart rate as well as stress hormones. Some types of classical, Celtic, Native American, and Indian music are known to be very soothing. Nature sounds can also be very calming. However, just listening to the music you enjoy can be a good way to relieve stress.

Laugh. It is hard to feel anxious when you are laughing. It is good for your health; it relieves your stress response and reduces tension by relaxing your muscles. Important these days, laugher helps improve your immune system and mood. So, try to find humor in everyday life, watch a funny movie and chat on the phone or skype with the friends that make you laugh.

Have a great weekend,

Tracey

Sources: Article posted on Investment Executive by Ellen Bessner; Pandemic, stress and luxury posted 04-14-20, webmd.com, healthline.com. Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net