ChesterCountyMedicineSpring2020 - 25

www.CHESTERCMS.org

KNOW HOW TO RELIEVE STRESS

You can manage and alleviate your stress by taking time to take care
of yourself.
KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE:
Set limits on how much time you spend reading or watching news
about the outbreak. You will want to stay up to date on news of the
outbreak, particularly if you have loved ones in places where many
people have gotten sick. But make sure to take time away from the
news to focus on things in your life that are going well and that you
can control.
GET THE FACTS:
If desiring more factual information on the status of the outbreak,
find people and resources you can depend on for accurate health information, and skip the political and social media rhetoric. You may
turn to your family doctor, a state or local health department, U.S.
government agencies, or an international health organization.
KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY:
* 	 Eat healthy foods, and drink water
* 	 Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol
* 	 Do not use tobacco or illegal drugs
* 	 Get enough sleep and rest
* 	 Get physical exercise
USE PRACTICAL WAYS TO RELAX:
* 	 Relax your body often by doing things that work for you-take 	
	 deep breaths, stretch, meditate, wash your face and hands, or 	
	 engage in pleasurable hobbies

* 	 Pace yourself between stressful activities, and do a fun thing after 	
	 a hard task
* 	 Use time off to relax-eat a good meal, read, listen to music,
	 take a bath, or talk to family
* 	 Talk about your feelings to loved ones and friends often
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY, FEELINGS, AND SPIRIT:
* 	 Recognize and heed early warning signs of stress
* 	 Recognize how your own past experiences affect your way of 	
	 thinking and feeling about this event, and think of how you
	 handled your thoughts, emotions, and behavior around past
	events
* 	 Know that feeling stressed, depressed, guilty, or angry is common 	
	 after an event like an infectious disease outbreak, even when it 	
	 does not directly threaten you
*	
	
	
	
	

Connect with others who may be experiencing stress about
the outbreak...talk about your feelings about the outbreak, share
reliable health information, and enjoy conversation unrelated
to the outbreak, to remind yourselves of the many important and
positive things in your lives

* 	 Take time to renew your spirit through meditation, prayer, or 	
	 helping others in need
You may experience serious distress when you hear about an infectious disease outbreak, even if you are at little or no risk of getting
sick. If you or someone you know shows signs of stress for several
days or weeks, get help by reaching out to a mental health professional, or check our Guide to Community Resources on the DCMS
website: www.delcomedsoc.org.

SPRING 2020 | CHESTER COUNT Y Medicine 25
http://www.chestercms.org http://www.delcomedsoc.org
ChesterCountyMedicineSpring2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ChesterCountyMedicineSpring2020
