Don’t Let COVID Mess With Your Head

In my last article I discussed some indicators that someone may be nearing or at burnout level. The constantly evolving situation, combined with stress over work, income, schools, kids, etc. can weigh heavy on folks and lead to depression and in some cases, suicide.

This article is not meant as psychological advice. Rather it is a collection of strategies to help reduce the stress level while at home. It's critical that if you or someone you know needs immediate help, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Don't wait. These folks have the resources and capability to help you and your family get through the darkest of times with compassion and dignity.

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day." – Sally Koch

Breaking Through


We WILL get through this

Look back on history and there is one thing that is undeniable: we can get through anything! One key to maintaining a positive outlook is to develop healthy strategies to deal with stress on an ongoing basis. Following are some of my suggestions along with some collected from friends and colleagues. Please share how you manage stress to help others. Together, we can get through this.

Physical Stress Breakers

Exercise — Exercise is the most common form of physical stress relief and there's a very simple reason: endorphins. Endorphins give the body a natural boost and can help clear our mind, exhaust our energy and help us sleep better. Whether you go for a walk, punch a bag, swim or do yoga, the benefits of exercise will be well worth the effort.

Manual Work — Doing something with your hands can engage you both physically and intellectually. Build a table, learn to cook, knit a sweater, go fishing, build a puzzle or play board games with your family. These may seem like very different activities but they all engage both mind and body while, in the case of games, include a social connection.

Intellectual Stress Breakers

Listen to music — As noted by the folks at the University of Nevada, Reno, music has the ability to create a deep effect on our mood and is a great tool for relaxation. Happy music will make you feel more upbeat while soothing music can help relieve stress and decompress at the end of the day.

Read a good book — Reading, especially fiction, can help reduce mental anxiety. However, it's not so much what you read, but the fact that reading takes your mind to another world and is a form of healthy escape. Check out my book - Unburdened: 5 Honest Lessons from a Recovering Stress Junkie where I share the 5 life changing lessons I have learned and applied to my own life and process. 

Social Stress Breakers

Have a virtual friend/family reunion — I find the term "social distancing" to be inaccurate. Although we must follow physical distancing to prevent the spread of illness, we can and absolutely should engage socially. Virtual meetings are a great way to connect with friends and family, especially those who are far from us.

These are definitely difficult times. Although most will be able to find ways to manage stress and continue to let their smile shine, others may and will struggle — and you know what, that's OK. Let's find those small opportunities to serve by keeping an eye out for our friends, family and coworkers who may need a little boost and share some of our strategies for coping.

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