Powder River Examiner -

Courtesy PR Extension Office

The pandemic has sent the world into a state of caution, fear and even panic. The uncertainty is both challenging and stressful. Everybody reacts differently to stress, whether it’s a global health emergency or a smaller-scale personal crisis. While we all wish we could help stop the spread of the disease, there is only so much within our control, explained Maelina Frattaroli, Stamford Health.

Take care of yourself and those around you with these simple steps:

1. Practice gratitude. It’s easy to succumb to thinking, “What is the world coming to?” or “It’s someone’s fault- this could have been avoided.” Instead, make a point to observe and perhaps write down one good thing that happened today. Did someone go out of their way to be kind to you? Did the sun shine and the wind not blow? Take note of it all.

2. Appreciate life’s simple pleasures. The best things in life are free. With colder weather on the way, take the opportunity to enjoy any warm, sunny day available and go outside. Appreciate the solitude. Notice the birds migrating south and the smell of fall leaves in the air.

3. Take a break. Turn off the noise—turn off the news—and don’t feel guilty about it. While we want to stay informed, there is also lots of misinformation out there. Social media can cause unnecessary—and avoidable—anxiety. If your life starts to feel like a record on replay, give yourself permission to switch gears and focus on something completely different.

4. Connect with others. Use the Internet and social media mindfully. It’s possible to practice social distancing and still maintain relationships with friends and family. Facetime, Google Duo and WhatsApp are just a few of the great resources available.

5. Be the change you want to see in the world. Remember that we can set a positive example for those around us. Do we want to demonstrate appreciation and generosity, for our young people and children, or paranoia and greed? Harness the power of stories—pull out the children’s books—especially the ones that convey an important message. Some of my personal favorites are The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein and I Will Love You Forever by Caroline Church.

6. Prioritize your mental and emotional health. You may feel all kinds of emotions and feel like you are struggling. That’s okay. Many mental health professionals around the world are working with their clients virtually. If you’re currently seeing a counselor, take advantage of that opportunity. If you’re looking for support, there is help. Check out our local mental health resources page at https:// powderriver.msuextension.org/MentalHealthAwareness.html

7. Stay active. Don’t give up on your exercise routine… create a new one! YouTube is a great source for free workout videos and the MSU Powder River Extension Office has a lending library of exercise videos, resistance bands and hand weights to check out. A brisk walk outside is always beneficial.

8. Make the best of it and have fun. If you’re staying at home, get creative. Board games, puzzles and scrapbooking are great options. Let out your feelings in a poem if writing is your outlet. Unleash your inner chef and see what recipes you can come up. Music is a mood booster, so pump some tunes and dance. The possibilities are endless.

9. Lend an ear and be kind. We’re all in this together. Take comfort in the fact that you’re not alone and use that comfort to be there for someone else. Ask how their day was or if there’s anything they need or wish to talk about. If you have friends on the “frontlines,” such as healthcare workers, teachers, reporters or public officials, thank them. A little bit of gratitude goes a long way.