Tips for Dealing with Stress - Region 1 Women's Council

Hello, UAW Region 1!!!

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues on, everyone has different ways of dealing with the isolation and separation from families and friends.  Some of us are having a hard time and some of us aren’t. Whether you are or not, just know you are not alone. The picture above was the last picture we were able to take together prior to the pandemic. As the saying goes, “the show must go on!” We have been meeting via Zoom and on conference calls coming up with different ways to help all of the Region with this pandemic.

Here are some tips your UAW Region 1 Women’s Advisory Council has been doing to try to do our part to stop the curve and to keep ourselves going strong….

The fear and anxiety about Covid-19 can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Learning how to cope with stress and staying healthy will make you and the people you care about stronger.

When you feel anxious, here are a few steps you can take to put those feelings in perspective:

• Limit news intake to what is actually providing new information and stick to reliable news sources. Information is useful, but too much information isn’t helpful if you’re feeling stressed
• Keep daily routines, make changes only when necessary.  Maintaining regular schedules and routines is a good way to keep anxiety at bay and feel normal. However, take necessary and recommended precautions.
• Limit screen time. Too much time on the phone, on social media or websites can lead to less activity and more anxiety.
• Most importantly take time, unwind and meditate.

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” ~Chinese proverb

Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. It might seem contradictory, but putting physical stress on your body through exercise can relieve mental stress. The benefits are strongest when you exercise regularly. People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety than those who don’t exercise.

Stress hormones: Exercise lowers your body’s stress hormones — such as cortisol — in the long run. It also helps release endorphins, which are chemicals that improve your mood and act as natural painkillers.

Sleep: Exercise can also improve your sleep quality, which can be negatively affected by stress and anxiety.

Confidence: When you exercise regularly, you may feel more competent and confident in your body, which in turn promotes mental wellbeing.

Try to find an exercise routine or activity you enjoy, such as walking, dancing, rock climbing or yoga. Activities — such as walking or jogging — that involve repetitive movements of large muscle groups can be particularly stress relieving.

Other way to relieve stress:

• Light a candle.
  • Burning a scented candle or using essential oils may help with minimizing stress and anxiety.  Scents can be soothing, some of the most calming are Lavender, Rose, Roman chamomile, Sandalwood, and Geranium. 
• Avoid procrastination.
  • Another way to get control of stress is to stay on top of your priorities and not procrastinate.  Procrastination can lead to you acting reactively, leaving you scrambling to get caught up.  You can work on things that need to get finished today and give yourself a timeline to work on other projects that you have.
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Natural stress relievers: Artichokes, shellfish, parsley, sunflower seeds, blueberries, garlic, sweet potatoes, matcha powder, kimchi, and fatty fish.
• Stress reliever supplements: Magnesium, Lemon Balm, Ashwagandha-fatigue, Melatonin- insomnia, L-theanine- anger, Curcumin- pain, Taurine- anger/anxiety, Omega 3s, Vitamin B complex- headache
• Prayer and Meditation along with a hot bath and Stress Relief Lotion.
• Instead of gathering, have a weekly Zoom meeting.
  • You could have weekly Zoom meetings with family and friends from out of state
• Do porch drops for Family or Friends that are immune compromised or elderly.
  • Drop off meals or snacks at a friend or family member’s home. Not only does it get you out of the house but it’s a way to brighten up their day.
    •  Call or text them to check their porch. You could stay and watch their excitement from the safety of your vehicle or drive away. BOTH are fun and enjoyable.
    • It doesn’t have to be much. Don’t overthink it and make it too extravagant. Keep it simple.

Whichever you choose to do, keep yourselves safe and we will all get through this pandemic together. Stay SAFE. Stay VIGILANT. Stay STRONG!