This information was provided on behalf of Sky Lakes Medical Center and the Sky Lakes Wellness Center. Click here to find a 2-page summary of useful tools from a guide published by Psychology Tools. The full 12-page guide can be found here.

If you would like to suggest a resource for this page, please send us a message. 

It is normal to experience stress and anxiety during times like these. While it is important to stay informed, it is equally important not to overwhelm yourself with information. Rest assured that most everyone around you has experienced similar feelings of uncertainty, fear, and worry during these times. To help all of us manage feelings of stress and anxiety during the response to COVID-19, our behavioral health experts have put together some resources for our own use.
 

Strategies for Dealing with Stress and Worry

  • Talk with family and friends about your concerns and feelings.
  • Limit exposure to news and social media.
  • Get regular physical activity and movement.
  • Eat healthy meals, pack healthy snacks for work.
  • Make getting rest a priority.
  • Practice mediation, yoga, or download a mindfulness/meditation app.
  • Keep your normal daily routine as much as you can.
  • Listen to other family member’s thoughts and feelings and give reassurance – this is especially important with children.
  • Focus on the positives of more time at home – try cleaning out a closet, doing a project you’ve put off, or enjoy spending time with your immediate family.
  • Try new hobbies or restart an old one! Try new cooking recipes, catch up on books, movies, TV shows, and podcasts.
  • Avoid alcohol, drugs, and other substances.
  • Identify what you are worried about and if you can, make a plan to help you feel prepared.
 
Keep an eye out for these common reactions to stress:

Behavioral

  • Increase substance use or abuse (alcohol or drugs)
  • Difficulty communicating or listening
  • Irritability, outbursts of anger, frequent arguments
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Frequent crying
  • Hyper-vigilance or excessive worry

Physical

  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Headaches, other aches and pains
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Worsening of chronic health problems
  • Being easily startled

Psychological/Emotional

  • Feeling heroic, euphoric or invulnerable
  • Denial
  • Anxiety or fear
  • Depression
  • Grief

Remember that everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and need a professional to talk to, listed below are some 24/7 telephone services you can call for support, if you are feeling that you or someone you know are overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or if you feel like you want to harm yourself or others.

  • 1-800-698-2392 – David Romprey Oregon Warmline
  • 1-800-273-8255 – Lines for Life
  • 541-883-1030 – Klamath Basin Behavioral Health 24 hour line