Some members started their journey with us more than 30 years ago, and we have been your trusted partners in travel ever since. Therefore, we feel it’s necessary to provide you with the tools and resources that you need to guide yourself and your loved ones through these troubling times. Nothing is more important to us than your health, safety, and well-being. Below we have provided you with a few useful tips that will assist you in keeping yourself and our community healthy. Stress has been shown to increase or create health issues, so don’t stress, and understand the warning signs of anyone else that may be stressing out around so that they can be helped.
Signs of stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:
- Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones.
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
- Worsening of chronic health problems.
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
Mental health is an essential part of overall health and well-being. Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
Here are some ways that you can help yourself and others take care of their mental health:
- Check-in on your friends and loved ones regularly while still practicing healthy social distancing (FaceTime/video chat, texting, private messaging, social media, phone calls). This type of social contact not only benefits them, but it will also benefit you and your mental health.
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
- Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.
Be sure to encourage others to follow all of these habits so that they also remain healthy and safe during these troubling times. Following this article, we will also share weekly tips on recipes, vacation planning ideas, Mexico and resort trivia, and more. Remember that you are more than members; you are part of our family, so please know that we are here with you, thinking of you, and wishing you well as always!
More to come!
Best Regards,
Member Marketing Team
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases, Center For Disease Control And Prevention