Being Mindful of Your Mental Health

Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

~ Center for Disease Control and Prevention: “Stress and Coping”

Taking care of yourself is critical especially at a time like this. The Arvada Resiliency Taskforce has compiled resources for coping with stress and action steps to take care of your health. Please remember, you’re not alone. We ask all businesses in Arvada to take four minutes to complete this COVID-19 IMPACT & OPPORTUNITY SURVEY to help us understand how we can best assist you and we will be in touch.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT YOURSELF from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. 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, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
• 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.

TOOLS TO MANAGE YOUR STRESS

• From Robbie’s Hope: Discover apps for managing depression and anxiety such as Headspace, a meditation app, Calm for sleep, meditation and relaxation, and Colorfy an app utilizing color therapy
• From JeffCo Public Schools: JeffCo Makes offers ideas to have some fun with your family
• From University of Michigan: practice one-minute stress strategies
• From World Economic Forum: 14 ways to protect your mental health in the pandemic
• From the U. S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation: A series of how-to guides and infographics that provide tips and guidance for empowering well-being:
  • Managing stress: we all react to stress differently.
  • Taming technology: Is technology a friend or foe?
  • Managing energy: Fuel, move, and renew the body.
  • Supporting mental health: Remove barriers; promote healing.
  • Managing emotions: Create better human connections.

RECORDINGS TO HELP WITH COPING

• Happier with Gretchen Rubin: Coping During COVID-19—How to Stay Happier and Calmer in Difficult Times recorded March 14, 2020
• WorkWell podcast series: Well-being insights to enhance your work and life
• Dr. Lyle Pipher with Lyle Chiropractic: Meditation recorded April 1, 2020 – future meditations offered at drlylepipher.com
• Dawn King LPC, CAC-III, RYT: Free guided meditations each Tuesday at 12:00pm – 12:45 pm MT through the month of April – email dawnkinglpc@gmail.com for information

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED TO LOVED ONES

• Marco Polo combines the best of texting, social media and video chats – all in one private, easy to use app.
• Have a video chat for free on Google Hangouts, Zoom, or Skype
• Play a game with loved ones online with sites such as Arkadium.com
• Write a good old-fashioned letter or note
• Read more about connecting with loved ones despite social distancing at Cleveland Clinic

HOW TO CARE FOR LOVED ONES from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The National Council for Behavioral Health has compiled a list of resources to help you care for your own and your loved ones’ mental health. See below for more information.

• How to Care for Yourself While Practicing Physical Distancing
• How Do I Know Someone is Experiencing Anxiety or Depression?
• How to Help Someone with Anxiety or Depression During COVID-19
• How to Support a Loved One Going Through a Tough Time During COVID-19

WHERE TO FIND MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION

• From Jeffco Public Schools: navigating the mental wellness of your child & family
• From Jefferson Center: learn how to identify anxiety and how to support yourself or someone who experiences anxiety
• From World Health Organization: how to communicate about COVID-19 to support mental and psychosocial well-being

WHO TO CALL from the Robbie’s Hope

Please reach out to any of these resources and encourage your loved ones to reach out if emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety are becoming too much:

• Call 911
• Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline or call 1-800-985-5990 and TTY 1-800-846-8517, Or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
• Text TALK to 38255 or call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
• Call 2-1-1 in Colorado to talk to a Resource Navigator. 2-1-1 Colorado streamlines services and provides one central location where people can get connected to the resources they need. With a database that is updated daily, 2-1-1 Colorado can connect you to critical resources simply by dialing a three-digit number. Whether you are searching for shelter availability, childcare, or rent payment assistance – 2-1-1 can connect you to available resources in your community.