Top 3 Things You Should Do to Cope with Stress During COVID-19

Science Based*

You may already know about some of the basics of relieving stress like how taking several deep breaths will help you calm down when stressed.

And how meditation (focusing one’s thoughts on a particular object, scripture, word, or activity) is also beneficial in calming an anxious mind.

If you’re not actively doing the above, grab my FREE 7 Simple Steps to Stress Less booklet to get started.

For now, let’s look at some other easy things that can help you cope with stress during … (how ever you refer to this time >)... coronavirus, COVID-19, the pandemic, or just 2020 in general.

Pro tip: If the feeling of overwhelm comes on you, yet you want to try to finish what you are doing do the following simple breathing exercise.

Take a deep breath. Exhale slowly. Repeat 3 times. Remember to focus your attention on what you are doing (not the intrusive thoughts that sabotage your efforts). Read one point at a time.

Ok. Let’s dive into this.

When it comes to stress, we need to be proactive (not reactive)- regardless of where it comes from. - Missy Rankin, CTNC, CHS

Here are the top 3 things you should do to help you cope with stress during COVID-19 (or Coronavirus, or 2020 in general).

1) Eat healthily. Avoid fast and processed food as much as possible.

Fill your plate with veggies, add in some lean protein, healthy fat, and some fruit as a dessert. Use onions, garlic, and herbs generously!

Think whole foods. Minimally processed. Few ingredients.

This way of eating is basically the Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean Diet is one of the most studied diets in the world. It’s also considered one of the healthiest and easiest to follow.

Check out this article from Dr. Axe’s website for more information on the Mediterranean Diet that also includes a list of which foods to eat.

Here’s why: Many people are nutritionally depleted. Meaning the food they are eating isn’t chock full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that their bodies need to repair, build, and fight off infections.

Stress depletes our body’s storehouse of

nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

If we are already deficient in healthy things our bodies need to do daily functions- then we’re going to be ill-equipped to handle stressors- big or small.

By the way, did you know, Americans are some of the most overfed malnourished people in the world?

What?! Yes, sadly it’s true.

The foods most of us chose to eat are burgers, fries, pizza, fast foods, and heavily processed “foods” with few vital nutrients that our bodies recognize and can use.