Handling The Stress Of Adverse Times
These last few months have been difficult, to say the least, and we are all adapting to unfamiliar conditions, from staying home to covering our faces in public to no school or restaurants, and so on.
No matter what our role, from first responders and front-line health care, food and transportation workers to customers, end-users and patients, we all have one thing in common – we are suffering some of the greatest stress of our lives, and that’s not only uncomfortable, it’s dangerous.
Between 95-98% of people who get the coronavirus will either get no symptoms, mild symptoms, or will get sick but recover soon. A few percent are not as lucky, and those are our many friends and neighbors who were not able to survive the pandemic.
It seems that older people, and debilitated people, like those with diabetes, heart disease and cancer, make up the majority of the fatalities, and obesity and poor health are often associated with dying from COVID-19.
So, if you are unhealthy, it is especially important to honor the safety guidelines, like social distancing, and do everything you can to decrease your stress and improve your health. If you are reasonably healthy, then you have a great opportunity to build your heart, brain and body so you not only avoid unnecessary illness, but enjoy the best quality of life possible.
The best way to handle adversity is to expect the best, prepare for the worst and aim down the middle. The odds are in your favor that you’ll be okay – but you improve your luck by taking better care of yourself.
The sustained stress that many people are experiencing will not only affect function (ie immune system function), but it will also affect how people feel. If you have been dealing with headaches, neck pain, mid-back tension, lower back tightness, or shoulder issues, these are signs that your body is dealing with uncontrolled stress. There are actions you can take on your own to help you go in the right direction and begin to mitigate the effects of stress.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about what you can do to fight stress and take better care of yourself, please call or text us at 215-259-5100. You can also reach us by email at info@getradiantlife.com. We are aiming to help create a healthier version of Bucks and Montgomery Counties one family at a time!