What You Are Feeling is Real: Taking Care of Yo’ Self During COVID-19

If you are anything like me, you may be feeling a bit oversaturated with media about COVID-19. Given the gravity of the pandemic it makes sense that there is a constant stream of new information, opinions, tips and tricks, and recommendations for how to sustain during this time. While it is necessary to stay informed, being inundated with such news also contributes to heightening the secondary health effects of the pandemic – stress and anxiety.

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Image Credit: California Surgeon General’s Playbook: Stress Relief during COVID-19

Science tells that we have biological reactions to stress and anxiety that then, in turn, impact our physical and mental health. As stated by California Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, this means that if you are experiencing symptoms of stress and anxiety, it is not just in your head. At a time when it is critically important to maintain good health, stress busting should be a top priority for us all! It is especially important for those of us working in fields where we are serving vulnerable youth and families during this unprecedented time. While most of us have not taken a flight recently (due to guidelines for travel limitations), think about how in the event of a flight emergency, passengers are advised to put on their own oxygen mask before assisting others. The same goes for addressing our own health and wellbeing in order to be able to help others. Whether that is through systems work or direct service, the same principle applies.

​Dr. Burke Harris recently released these playbooks with essential (as in simplified and important) information about stress management and self-care during COVID-19.

• The California Surgeon General’s Playbook: Stress Relief During COVID-19 offers stress management information, specific “stress busting” strategies that can be used at home, and a self-care template for adults.
• The California Surgeon General’s Playbook: Stress Relief for Caregivers and Kids During COVID-19 offers information on stress management for kids, specific “stress busting” strategies, and a self-care template for kids. 

In the playbooks, the following 6 Stress Busting Strategies are recommended: healthy nutrition, regular exercise, restful sleep, practicing mindfulness, staying connected to our social supports, and getting mental health care can help decrease stress hormones and improve health. Dr. Burke Harris also underscores the importance of staying connected. When thinking about self-care, it is important to remember that “safe, stable, and nurturing relationships can protect our brains and bodies from the harmful effects of stress and adversity.”
 
Please share your strategies for staying safe, healthy, and connected during COVID-19.

Blog Post Written By: Dr. Tamarah Tilos, Assistant Director of School Partnerships