Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2020

You’ve been wearing a face mask and doing your best to stay 6 feet away from others when out in public. You’re still cleaning frequently touched surfaces like kitchen countertops and doorknobs daily. In other words, you’re taking care of your physical health. But what are you doing for your mental outlook during the coronavirus pandemic? Where are you finding joy in your life? It’s not a frivolous question. Science tells us that our emotional health can have a big impact on how we feel physically. It’s called the mind-body connection. According to the American Heart Association, people who are happier tend to have better heart health. They manage stress better. And being more positive may contribute to a longer lifespan. So now that we are about nine months into the pandemic and heading into winter months, how Here to Help If you’re experiencing symptoms of extreme stress, such as ongoing trouble sleeping, inability to carry out daily routines, or an increase in alcohol or drug use, seek help from a health care provider. If you’re struggling to find help, here are a few resources: • Northern Idaho Crisis Center: (208) 625-4884 • Heritage Health: (208) 620-5210 • Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline—call or text: (208) 398-4357 You can also visit northidahoconnections.org to search for other community resources. can you build more positivity in your life? Here are a few ideas. First and foremost, seek help when you need it. Whether it’s talking to a friend, spouse, counselor or physician—or finding support from an online group or community—it’s important to have an ally. “We want our community to know that the Crisis Center is open and will remain open throughout the entirety of the pandemic,” said Don Robinson, Northern Idaho Crisis Center manager. “During the early stages of the pandemic, we saw a reduction in the number of visits to the Crisis Center. This caused us some concern—we were worried that people who needed help were staying home instead. We want someone in crisis to feel safe coming to us. Please know that we are following all CDC guidelines, and the Crisis Center is still a safe space to come to if you are experiencing anxiety, depression or other concerns.” Stay connected with friends and family. Whether it’s by telephone, social media or online video chat, regular check-ins with loved ones can spread joy in both directions. Don’t let too much time go by without connecting to someone important in your life. Reframe your situation. Don’t think of yourself as being a prisoner in your own house once bad weather starts to hit. Instead, try looking at this as an opportunity to focus on yourself and your home. Is there a room in your house you’d like to rearrange or cozy up for the holidays? Do you have a pile of papers waiting to be organized? During the Try to chip away at one productive thing a day. It’ll make you feel better. Stay as close to your normal routine as possible. For those who are still working from home or homeschooling their kids, it’s important to wake up and go to bed at around the same time each day. Eat regularly scheduled meals. “We’re continuing to go through major shifts in lifestyle as people’s work and home lives change and adapt to the situation,” said Claudia Miewald, DNP, director of Kootenai Health’s Behavioral Health Services. “It’s important for us to feel like we’re all in this together and maintain routine to help us get Claudia Miewald, DNP director of Behavioral Health Services Don Robinson manager, Northern Idaho Crisis Center Keeping a Posi tive 18