Dealing with Stress During these COVID-19 Times

It's a normal part of parenting to feel some stress. But these days, the stress can feel more intense as we deal with the concerns and uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control offers these 5 tips for taking care of ourselves during these unusual times:

1. Avoid excessive exposure to news. Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories, including social media. The barrage of coronavirus information can become overwhelming and upsetting.

2. Take care of your body. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.

3. Do something you like. Make time to unwind and try to do some other activities that you enjoy.

4. Get connected. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

5. Seek help when needed. If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counselor, or doctor, or contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The helpline can provide immediate counseling to anyone seeking help in coping with the mental or emotional effects caused by developments related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Additional Resources

Alaska 2-1-1. For current information related to COVID-19, including service changes and closures statewide, dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221. Alaska 2-1-1 is a one-stop resource for finding help in your community. It’s free, confidential and available in almost any language. You can also search available resources online at alaska211.org.

Careline. Need to talk? Careline is Alaska's suicide prevention and “someone-to-talk-to” line, offering free and confidential help to anyone in the state at 1-877-266-HELP (4357). Trained counselors are available at any time (24/7) to provide intervention to those who are considering suicide and provide information to those who are concerned about someone else. Or text 4help to 839863, 3-11 pm Tuesday-Saturday.