Taking care of our emotional health and well-being during this time is important. I’ve compiled a list of ideas to help de-stress and cope during these difficult and uncertain times. This is just a sample, but throughout my research I have seen a ton of article and websites noting the following:
- Schedule a virtual “hangout” with friends or loved ones.
- Call a neighbor, friend, or co-worker to check-in on how they are doing.
- If you are healthy, offer to run an errand for an elderly or infirm neighbor. Helping others can help us feel connected and gives us a sense of purpose during this difficult time. Be mindful to wash your hands before and after the errand. Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between you and the person you are helping. Even seemingly healthy people can transmit illnesses.
- Go for a walk and simply wave or greet others from a safe distance.
- Social media can help us maintain connections to others, especially family and friends who live far away. Too much exposure, however, can make anxiety or depression worse. Be mindful of how much time on social media helps you feel connected and less alone versus overwhelmed.
- Take an online course. Whether it’s an instrument or work-related training class, now is a good time to learn something new.
- Write – writing has been shown to help people feel less sad or upset.
- A lot of gyms are offering their classes online. Reach out to your favorites or search around. Example: Planet Fitness and Orange Theory.
- Maintain a schedule and try to stick to it. This will help to break away and recharge mentally and emotionally.
I hope the tips above and the list below will help in some way. I would also recommend to check with your current health insurance and see if they offer any mental health services. Also, be sure to check with your workplace as to what additional resources they would be able to provide.
Comment below to share any other ideas that you are currently doing to get through this pandemic. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong! We will get through this together!
~ Erika
1. Headspace
Everyday Mindfulness and Meditation for Stress, Anxiety, Sleep, Fitness and More. Meditation has been shown to help people stress less, focus more and sleep better. Headspace has one mission: to improve the health and happiness of the world.
Headspace is meditation made simple, teaching you life-changing mindfulness skills in just a few minutes a day. One your mobile and tablet, you can listen to Headspace on the go and download sessions to use offline. On your computer, you can play any session, any time.
Subscription Costs:
- Headspace Plus – $0 first 2 weeks
- Annual – first 2 weeks free – $69.99/year, that’s $5.83/month.
- Monthly – first 1 week free – $12.99/month
- Student Plan – $9.99 per year
- Family Plan – six accounts for $99.99 a year
2. Calm App
The #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation, with over 50 million downloads and over 700,000 5-star reviews. They were honored to be an Apple BEST of 2018 award winner, Apple’s App of the Year in 2017, Google Play Editor’s Choice 2018, and to e named by the Center of Human Technology as “the world’s happiest app.”
The app offers:
- Meditate – Learn the life-changing skill of meditation
- Sleep – Get more restful sleep and wake up feeling refreshed
- Music – Exclusive music to help you focus, relax, and sleep
- Body – Video lessons on mindful movement and gentle stretching
- Masterclass – Audio programs taught by world-renowned mindfulness experts
- Scenes – Nature scenes and sounds to enjoy while relaxing, sleeping, working or studying
Subscription Costs:
The free trial will be active for 7 days. Access to the entire Calm catalog costs $12.99/month, $59.99/year and $299.99 for a lifetime subscription. Learn more about The Free Version & Calm Premium.
3. SWEAT App
Stay focused & fit with the world’s largest female fitness community. Programs offered include BBG, PWR at Home, FIERCE at Home, LIFTING at Home, Post-Pregnancy, BBG Stronger, PWR, PWR Post-Pregnancy, FIERCE, BUILD, Body and Mind.
Sweat makes women’s health and fitness easier using a new, interactive personal trainer app. Get everything you need and be able to workout from anywhere and any time. Enable Apple Health with your Apple Watch to keep track of all your activity in the SWEAT app. It’s free to download.
Subscription Costs:
- $19.99 billed monthly ($0.66 per day)
- $54.99 billed every 3 months ($0.60 per day)
- $119.94 billed annually ($0.33 per day)
4. Nike Training Club
The Nike Training Club helps you reach your fitness goals with expertly designed workouts from our world-class Nike Master Trainers. NTC provides free workouts for everything from bodyweight-only sessions, invigorating yoga classes, targeted training programs, and full-equipment home workouts for all fitness levels.
Subscription Costs:
We’re evolving as the world is evolving and we want you to stay healthy and active. Enjoy on-demand class-style workouts, programs, and expert tips on nutrition, sleep, and more. NTC Premium is Free to all Nike Members until further notice.
5. Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation for kids. Interactive adventures which build strength, balance and confidence.
Visit their YouTube Channel – Cosmic Kids Yoga
6. Ketzal Martial Arts
A Martial Arts location in Lake Oswego, OR which teaches Tang Soo Do and Ki Gong to students of all ages and abilities. As of Thursday, March 26th, they are offering “follow along” FREE online Beginners Classes through their Facebook page. No experience necessary as this is to help keep kids active and healthy during this isolation.
Visit their Facebook Page – Ketzal Martial Arts
7. Book of the Month
A subscription box that lets you spend more time reading and less time figuring out what to read. Choose from the five best new reads every month and get them delivered. Choose less than 5 books, skip a month or cancel any time.
Subscription Costs:
- First book is $9.99 with code SKY5, otherwise it’s $14.99
- $11.99 to $14.99 a month
8. Intelligent Change: The Five-Minute Journal
The journal provides daily gratitude exercises and is the perfect tool to hone your ability to focus on the good in life. This journal is designed to get you to elevate yourself, be happier, improve relationships, and shift your mind to state of optimism.
These journals are also available through Paper Source and Amazon.
Version for Adults – The Five-Minute Journal
Version for Kids – The Five-Minute Journal for Kids
9. Cooking With Kids.org
Try a new recipe or make dinner as a family; find recipes and tips for cooking with children safely.
Visit their Recipes Page – Cooking with Kids
10. Healthy Children.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics is dedicated to the health of all children. They launched this website in 2009 which offers trustworthy, up-to-the-minute health advice and guidance for parents and caregivers, along with interactive tools and personalized content.
10 No-Cost, Screen-Free Activities to Play with Your Preschooler: Activities Page
11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
12. American Psychiatric Association Foundation – Workplace Mental Health
13. SOCAL Empowered – Women and Depression
