Don’t you love summer? The sun shines bright. Flowers bloom. A warm breeze is in the air. Yet we all know things are different this year. With physical distancing and many people avoiding crowds, “home” takes on new meaning. How can you stay emotionally healthy at home while still enjoying the season?
One way is to think back to years gone by. Look back to the time when families took part in life’s simple pleasures. Turn your backyard into a summer haven and have some fun!
- Enjoy a backyard picnic or luau
- Run through the sprinkler
- Build a campfire (observing all safety rules)
- Turn the yard into an obstacle course
- Hold a family “Summer Olympics”
Take care of your emotional well-being
In times like these, it’s only natural to feel more on edge than usual. You might notice you are more frustrated with others. Perhaps you’re less motivated to carry out your daily activities. Here are a few tips on how to stay emotionally healthy through this time of uncertainty.
- Get outside and enjoy nature. Go for a walk, sit outside and soak up some vitamin D, or stay cool near a shade tree.
- Make sleep a priority. Stick to a bedtime and wake time schedule. A nap is a great pick-me-up but limit it to 20 minutes.
- Tackle a project. Landscaping? Cleaning the garage? Pick something where you’ll be able to see and enjoy results.
- Avoid stress eating. Distract yourself by calling a friend, reading, listening to music, or simply brushing your teeth.
- Stay in the present. You can’t change the past or predict the future. Try mindfulness to help you stay in the moment.
In these difficult times, we could all use a little extra support for our emotional health and well-being. Quartz is here for you with our new myStrength app.
Feeling Depressed? Reach Out to Your Provider
Depression is different than emotional exhaustion. Depression is a medical condition that can affect your mind, body, and behavior. If you think you are depressed, reach out to your provider about in-person as well as telehealth and virtual visit options.
Visit QuartzBenefits.com/findadoctor to find a behavioral health provider. Call Customer Service at (800) 362-3310 if you have questions on how to get help.
