01 Apr Stress Reduction When You Can’t Get a Break 

Stress Reduction When You Can’t Get a Break – Written by: Tammy Donoho, Kentucky Youth Advocates, Photo credit: Unsplash

 We are all doing our best to adjust to new routines and keep our communities healthy during the current pandemic. It can be stressful!

At my house, everyone is HOME! I am working from HOME, my college freshman child, like thousands of college students, is now taking online classes from HOME, and my young adult son is trying to sleep during the day at HOME because he works at night. It’s crowded here! This is a good time for me to reflect. I need to take a moment to think back over all those times when I was at work and my children were at school. I longed to have more time with my family. Now I have a chance to sneak in a little extra time with those closest to me.

It’s spring, after all. I am taking a moment to be still and quiet with my loved ones while also enjoying all that this season has to offer. Sometimes we sit outside and other times we simply open a window. We look at everything in bloom, listen to the sounds of the birds singing and wildlife scurrying. We gaze at the clouds and watch them glide by.

Taking a moment to be quiet and still with my family reduces our stress. Quiet time may work for you and your family. If not, there are other ways families can manage stress. 

It’s challenging! When you can, take a BREAK.

             B – Read Books about Kentucky.

                      R – Roar with laughter. Try these tongue twisters.

                                E – Exercise with a Work-In.

                                         A – Get Adequate sleep.

                                                 K – Kentucky State Parks are open. Take a walking adventure! 

                                                        (Remember the 6 feet social distance guideline.)

For more ways to cope with your stress during these trying times, check out this article from the New York Times: Parents Need Stress Relief, Too.