The months of November and December are celebrated as times of joy and giving thanks. However, the Holiday Season can also be a time of stress, even during the best of times. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that 2020 has been a year of continuous stress with a pandemic that has closed businesses and isolated people from family and friends, catastrophic fires and weather, and of course, politics and protests. Unfortunately, predictions are that we will be fighting the COVID virus and its effect on business and social gatherings well into the next year.
The key to survival is to stay mentally and physically healthy. The following is a list of ideas that can ease the Holiday Season’s stress and position you for a healthy and stronger 2021.
Communicate – Social distancing does not mean social isolation. During the beginning of the pandemic, ZOOM meetings were all the rage, but it was more of a novelty game. While it was fun to gather with a large group of people over the internet to sing and make jokes, it could not take the place of the heartfelt talks people used to have with close friends and relatives. Take time each week to call the special people in your life to communicate one to one. If you miss seeing their smile, use FaceTime or Google Hangout.
Be Helpful – There are neighbors and people you know who are part of the “at-risk” population and may not be as healthy or mobile as you and may need help with groceries or some other chore. Helping others not only gives them the feeling of being loved, but it can also give you an incredible feeling of gratitude and go a long way toward helping both of you to feel better about yourselves.
Exercise – Perhaps you have heard reference to the COVID 20, which is similar to the Freshman 20, referring to the twenty pounds of weight people have put on since March. Even as Health Clubs have started opening, there is a lot of concern about going indoors with dozens of people breathing heavily during exercise. The good news is, there are plenty of ways outside the gym to get exercise, including Yoga and other exercise programs available on the internet, many that are free. Walking, riding a bike, and jogging outdoors is good for the body, and being in nature will stimulate the brain.
Eat Healthily – Research has shown that what you eat—and don’t eat—affects the way you think and feel. The most significant risk of spending so much time at home is the food in the pantry and refrigerator. When shopping, try to limit the amount of junk food you put in your cart; if you don’t buy it, you can’t eat it. Now that you are not going out for lunch and dinner, it is a great time to concentrate on eating healthy and appropriately proportioned food. Also, reduce the amount of alcohol, which acts as a depressant and can make anxiety worse.
Get Enough Sleep – Sleep can boost your immune system, prevent weight gain, strengthen your heart, increase productivity, and improve memory.
Consume Less News – While it is important to stay informed and up to date on the latest information about the Coronavirus, local, national, and world events, it is possible to become wrapped up in a news loop where you become on edge about every little issue. Now would be a great time to read that book that has been on your list forever or watch an educational webinar. If you need to escape for a while, watch a movie or a series on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO, or any of the other services available.
At INNOVA Technologies, we believe in the health of our environment and the health of our employees and families as well. By reducing stress and anxiety, we can make better decisions and be more creative in our structural engineering designs. For more information, contact us on the web or call 702-220-6640.