Handling Stress
by Sublette COVID-19 Response Group
April 20, 2020
Stress can express itself in many ways, according to Aaron Preece, LPC, of High Country Behavioral Health, including stress-eating, excess sleeping or gaming, and overall feelings of depression or anxiety. The loss of jobs and income during this pandemic adds more stress.
Offering methods to cope with stress in this time of upheaval and uncertainty, Preece recommends:
• Set firm schedules in order to devote uninterrupted time free of distractions.
• Set time limits to avoid excesses in both electronics usage and sleeping.
• Be mindful of both eating habits and the contents of what you are putting into your mouth.
• Unplug for at least a few hours every day. This allows time for other activities such as playing a game, doing a puzzle, and reading.
• Find a balance between being well-informed and information overload, giving yourself boundaries or limits to how much news to watch.
• Establish an exercise routine that can be used despite the weather or facility closures.
• Identify and recognize your stress levels, depression, anxiety, or other symptoms that are made worse with chronic stress (headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, distraction and inability to stay focused, triggers for substance use).
• Seek lightness and humor.
See the Sublette County COVID-19 Response Group website for current Sublette County coronavirus updates at www.sublettewycovid.com
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