The number of COVID-19 cases around the world has passed 100 million. The vaccine rollout in the United States has been choppy at best. Unfortunately, the pandemic looks like it will drag on throughout at least the quarter of 2021, and probably longer.
As we reach the pandemic’s anniversary, it’s important to take stock of how you are doing mentally and physically. Collectively, we’ve suffered through all types of problems. There are Covid-related illnesses and deaths. Some of us have had severe financial problems or lost a job thanks to the pandemic. And even if you are lucky enough to have your job, there’s great anxiety and stress just running errands or going to the grocery store now.
Here are three tips you can use to help cope with the fact the pandemic will not disappear tomorrow.
- How much time are you spending following the news?
It’s easy to fall into a routine where you spend too much time watching and reading the news. It can create anxiety for you and become an unhealthy obsession. One way to change our media habits is to check the news at a designated time each day. You must have the willpower to block out the news for the rest of your day. But you’ll find that by limiting it, you can concentrate on other things. - Keep the focus on what you can control
With so many Covid cases, it’s impossible not to worry at least a little bit about the potential of you or a loved one getting infected. Rather than stress about how you might come into contact with people who do have it, think about what you do have control over. You have control over many things that can help keep you and others safe. You can wear a mask and practice social distancing. You can avoid indoor settings if possible. You shouldn’t spend as little time as possible with people who are not in your household. If you do go out or meet up with others, respect other people’s personal space. Of course, if you feel sick, do not go out and put others at risk. - Take care of yourself
One thing Covid did not change is the need to take care of ourselves. If we are not eating right, exercising, embracing wellness activities like meditation, and getting enough rest, our bodies are bound to be stressed. When you factor in the stress of the pandemic, an unhealthy lifestyle can take an even worse toll on your body. There’s no better time than today to establish a self-care routine, especially if things have fallen off during the pandemic. You want to feel great mentally and physically, and taking care of yourself is the only way you’ll get there.
If you’re an employer who is getting ready to open your office again, you can also help your employees by giving them commuter benefits to help reduce financial and commuting stress this year. Commuter benefits help them save money in their paychecks tax-free to pay for commuting costs like mass transit, rideshares and qualified parking. Edenred Commuter Benefits also can help you set up accounts for micromobility transportation like e-scooters and e-bikes.
To learn more, schedule a 15 minute call with a member of our team.
