Waterford Today

As  we are forced into the COVID-19 culture, we’ve spent countless hours  focused on our physical and financial health. We check for signs of  fever. We  check our finances. It is the nature of the world in which we live  these days.

But  as we incorporate scary-sounding phrases like “social distancing” and  “self-isolation” into our daily vocabularies, it’s apparent we must also  devote  time and attention to our mental and emotional health. We cannot  neglect it in these turbulent times. 

With that in mind, I would like to share some of the strategies and resources offered by experts for coping with coronavirus.

Share  facts, not fear. It’s one of the strategies offered by theCenters for Disease Control.  Knowing and sharing accurate information about the virus and how to  fight it will help dispel rumors and keep people focused on effective  strategies. The state of Michigan has a website devoted to accurate  COVID-19 information athttps://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/.

Take a break from the news and social media when it gets to be too much.  That’s another tip offered on the CDC’s  webpage for managing stress and anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak.  We must stay informed, but as the CDC  notes, hearing about the pandemic non-stop can  be upsetting. We need healthy diversions. Revisit a hobby you had  abandoned from lack of time, or whittle down that ‘to-do’ list around  the house. My family has spent time at our cottage up north, where we  enjoy pies from our favorite shop. Take time to appreciate  the little things, like really good pie.

Exercise regularly, get enough sleep and take other necessary steps for a healthy body and mind.  Take deep breaths when you need to relax. Meditate, do yoga, or  something else to get yourself in a healthier place. As the weather  warms, getting outside will be an option available for more and more  Oakland County residents. Make it part of a daily routine  – we can still have structure while taking steps to avoid the virus. My  dog, Boomerang, has never been happier to have his humans home for  daily walks. You can utilize our miles of safety paths and sidewalks, or  visit our county parks, which are not requiring  a pass for now. Just remember the buildings within the parks are not  open.

Stay connected with the people who matter most.  Make a phone call, start a video chat, or send an email. When the  weather cooperates, do what my neighbors and I are doing and talk to  each other from your front porch. Physical distancing does not have to  end communication.

Remember  always, our local health departments are here for you, and they are  working harder than ever during this crisis. The Oakland County Health  Division has a COVID-19 website at https://www.oakgov.com/covid/Pages/default.aspx and the Oakland Community Health Network has a coronavirus website at https://oaklandchn.org/index.php/coronavirus-covid-19-information.

We will get through this  more quickly if we all commit to be part of the solution rather than the  problem. Stay positive, and stay healthy. My office is working remotely  so if I can help in any way, please reach  me at AndreaSchroeder@house.mi.gov.