5 WAYS TO KEEP SPIRITS LIFTED THIS FALL

The Coronavirus pandemic has brought feelings of fear and uncertainty to everyone. Some days, it can feel like there is no end in sight. Since a lot of these feelings may be magnified with the new school year about to begin, we wanted to help by giving you these tips to help you keep your spirits high this fall.

At times when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s essential to take a break and do some breathing exercises. Sometimes, it’s as easy as breathing in through your nose and out of your mouth for 1-5 minutes. Even something as simple as breathing is good for your overall health. “From cognition to digestion, effective breathing can not only provide you with a greater sense of mental clarity, but it can also help you sleep better, digest food more efficiently, improve your body’s immune response, and reduce stress levels.”  (source)

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Take a 30-minute walk to get your exercise minutes in for the day. Make sure you are getting anywhere between 7-9 hours of sleep. Your body can’t function at it’s best if it is not taken care of and can make it more challenging to maintain a positive mindset. Taking care of yourself can lead to good health, happy thoughts, and help you build resilience. 

Laughter is a great way to reduce stress. Don’t believe us? Even the Mayo Clinic says so. Laughter can stimulate many organs, activate and relieve your stress response, and soothe tension. Long-term benefits include an improved immune system, pain relief, and an overall better mood. Look up funny memes, watch a funny video on youtube, or check out a popular comedy special on Netflix!

Though things may be on the negative side now, it’s important to take the time to reflect on the good that has taken place in your life or the good things that have come from COVID. Maybe all of this chaos has brought you closer with your family, or given you the opportunity to spend more time with your pets. Maybe now members in your community finally see the true value in all that school cafeterias do for their children. Although we would never wish for a situation like this to happen again, it’s okay to appreciate whatever good things have come from it. 

Thanks to today’s technology, it’s easier to stay connected with friends and family wherever they are. Six in ten adults now use some kind of video-chatting platform to connect with others, whether it be for professional or personal reasons. With platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, and Hangouts, it’s easy to celebrate birthdays, see a friendly face, and visit with those who may not be feeling well. Benefits of socializing include a better mood and a heightened sense of safety, belonging, and security.

Each person is different, so not all of these may work for you. Regardless, it’s important to take the time to find something that will lift your mood. Only you can take the necessary steps to do so.

The PrimeroEdge family wishes everyone well as they return to school, and if there is anything we can do to make the process easier, contact us at any time.