The List: Mental health should be given more attention in this pandemic

This social distancing thing is getting old, but I know it’s for our good. Let’s hold on a little longer.

It seems like my neighborhood, anyway, is doing a great job sheltering in place. We all need to keep on with it and trust the process and we’ll get through this. We need to take it very seirously.

I will go on record and say that no, I don’t believe we don’t need a shelter in place order. That’s my opinion. I feel that’ll bring more panic than is necessary and will create more harm than good. We’re basically in one right now because of the restrictions in place.

I talked about good sounds in my neighborhood, but what aren’t great sounds are the realities that people are being furloughed even in my company because of COVID-19. Some losing their jobs.

That’s why I love to see photos posted online of our local banks buying lunch for their employees at a local restaurant or a local insurance agent buy lunch from another local restaurant for those at another local business who can use an uplifting thought or act of kindness.

See a story in next week’s newspaper highlighting these and other ways people around here are working to boost our economy during this tough time.

Mental Health

One thing I’m not hearing a lot about right now is mental health, and boy, that is going to be a big issue coming up if we’re not careful, in my opinion.

I received a release from Senior Life Solutions this week giving tips to cope with anxiety and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the tips for elderly adults to keep a sense of purpose through a hobby, performing workouts that are age appropriate, managing medicine properly and keeping a routine.

Families are directed to stay active together, check if your church may be having virtual worship services (many are in this time) and participate in them, or make videoes to send to loved ones.

General tips for all of us are to nourish our bodies, take a break from the news and stay connected to loved ones or a mentor through the use of various technology.

“Think of self-care like putting on an oxygen mask on an airplane,” said Dianne Allsup of SLS. “The flight attendant always instructs travelers to put on their own mask before securing those of others. You must take care of yourself right now to continue caring for an supporting those around you.”

There’s a lot more I could say this week, but we’ll keep it for another time. Let’s take advantage of this self distancing season and pace ourselves a little.

Quote of the Week: “In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” - Dave Hollis

The List

It isn’t November, but I feel it’s important for us to be thankful in this time, so here are just a few of the things I am thankful for this week:

1. A supportive family who listens to me when I’m down.

2. The ability to be creative through my job, through writing or through music.

3. My friends inside and outside my profession.

4. ESPN’s ability to bring back some of the greatest games in history that I’ve been able to catch lately. Dare I say, it’s better than March Madness.