MANAGE STRESS
Believe it or not, your stress level can affect your risk of being infected with COVID19. A suppressed immune system could easily become overwhelmed in a war against COVID-19 without you knowing it until it is too late. Knowing that people around the world, fretting and stressed about acquiring COVID-19, are doing all they can to reduce their risk by washing their hands, wearing a mask, and keeping socially distant. It’s believed that 80% of the deaths by COVID19 occurred in the age group of 65 and over. So happens that these folks are also peaking with stress even prior to COVID-19; concerned about health, and finances. Many of these folks are our friends, neighbors and family members. Dealing with at-risk family members, intermittent joblessness, or unpaid bills are all reasons that lead to a weakened immune system which may put you at risk.
STRESS AND COVID:
According to Simple Psychology, stress can wreak havoc on your immune system leading to a multitude of other medical problems to include, high blood pressure, headache and ulcers. The more ailments your body is tasked to manage, the less it is able to combat new conditions; such as new infections.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
- Identify what is stressing you then work on it patiently.
- Connect with others. Reach out to others via email, phone, text or zoom.
- Write down what’s affecting you. Sometimes the best way to get emotional stability is by documenting your feelings in written format.
- Excercise regularly. Take morning runs. Go for long walks.
- Get adequate sleep.
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