Dealing with Disappointment from Cancelled Events
DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT FROM CANCELLED EVENTS
COVID-19 related disappointment over cancelled or postponed events or vacations can lead to lasting feelings of sadness and may lead to depression if not managed in a healthy way. Keep in mind that while you may not have control over every situation, you may be able to control how you respond. The four steps below can help you work through feelings of disappointment.
Step 1: Allow yourself permission to feel sad or disappointed. Often, we are so quick to try to feel better, we rush through our negative emotions without processing them fully. Learning to process your sadness can help you become a stronger and more resilient person.
Step 2: Share with someone. Talking about your disappointment with a trusted friend or relative can help release some of your feelings. Since we are all in this together, they will likely be able to relate to how you are feeling. Also, your confidant may help you view your situation in a new light. If you are still unable to let go of your disappointment, consider speaking with a mental health counselor.
Step 3: Dig into your disappointment and take action. Take time to understand why you are disappointed. If you are feeling cheated because you didn’t get to see your daughter walk across the stage at her graduation, think about how she is feeling. Let her know how much you care about her and that you are also disappointed for her and yourself. Tell her how proud you are of her accomplishment and how much your entire family wanted to share in her achievement. Once both of you have identified why you are disappointed, the two of you can find other ways to celebrate and honor her and what you both value. For example, consider hosting a virtual graduation or putting together a surprise virtual graduation party. Taking action can help you and your daughter move past disappointment.
Step 4: See the bigger picture. While finding perspective can take time, it helps to look for the little wins that have developed from COVID-19. One example is that more people are working from home now and are not dealing with traffic, saving on gas, and perhaps most importantly they have more time. On a larger scale, with less cars on the road, smog has been reduced in large cities.
HMC HealthWorks provides comprehensive, whole-person programs tailored to support and treat all aspects of an individual’s wellbeing. HMC HealthWorks connects you with a multi-disciplinary team of providers along with invaluable resources to improve your physical and mental health so you can lead healthy and happy lives.
Men’s Health Month
MEN'S HEALTH MONTH
The boys are back in town!
June is Men’s Health Month. It is a reminder for all of us to encourage sons, brothers, fathers, uncles, grandfathers and friends to make healthy choices in June and all year long. Research shows men are less likely than women to prioritize their health and utilize primary care medical services. Through early detection during annual doctor appointments, many health problems are preventable. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, here are five doctor appointments all men should make to stay on top of their health.
- Get an annual physical. Going to your doctor every year helps you keep an eye on your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels but you also benefit by creating a long-term relationship with your doctor.
- Go to the dermatologist. Take a good look at your skin once a month, as recommended by the American Cancer Society. Be sure to see a dermatologist yearly or more frequently if you have a family history of skin cancer. If you noticed an atypical spot during your self-exam, follow up with your dermatologist.
- Complete a colon cancer screening. The most common colon cancer exam is a colonoscopy, but stool tests and virtual colonoscopies are now available. Talk to your gastroenterologist and get scheduled if you are over 45 or if you have a family history.
- Go to the dentist. Caring for your teeth daily and having an annual visit keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Also, your mouth can provide insight into your health by signaling sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies and diabetes by the smell of your breath and health of your teeth and gums. Don’t be one of the about 100 million Americans who don’t have a yearly dentist visit according to the American Dental Association.
- See an optometrist or ophthalmologist. An eye exam every two years can help everyone, not just those who wear corrective lenses. You may go to the eye doctor more frequently if you have a visually strenuous job, a family history of vison conditions or other health conditions like diabetes that can impact your eyes.
COVID-19 and Smoking Cessation
COVID-19 AND SMOKING CESSATION
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), quitting cigarettes and e-cigarettes can help protect you from COVID-19.
Smoking is considered a risk factor for respiratory illness and respiratory failure is a common cause of death for those diagnosed with COVID-19.
In fact, there are benefits that can help the body fight off infection soon after you quit:
- Once you quit, the small hairs or cilia, in your lungs begin to heal giving you stronger lungs to help you fight COVID-19 if you contract it.
- Your lungs will no longer have the ongoing inflammation caused by smoking and that predispose you to COVID-19.
- Saying goodbye to smoking strengthens your heart due to increased blood circulation. Quitting helps to thin your blood and makes it less likely to form clot-causing heart attacks. A stronger heart helps if you contract COVID-19.
- Need another reason to ditch the e-cigs or cigarettes? Quitting now gives your body time to heal and makes your lungs and body stronger against future waves of COVID-19.
Want to learn more about the benefits of quitting? Visit the CDC's website here.
Now is the time to take the first step towards a stronger, healthier you. Looking for a helping hand? Talk to a HMC HealthWorks Certified Health Coach for tips, tricks and one-on-one support. Call 888.369.5054
Parents at Home with Children Due to COVID-19
PARENTS AT HOME WITH CHILDREN DUE TO COVID-19
Families are now finding themselves working, playing, going to school and living all under one roof. Due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, millions of adults and children are learning to adapt to their new normal. It is important to remember; the first few days or weeks of any new routine can be challenging. Below are three tips for finding balance with everyone under one roof.
- CREATE A RHYTHM FOR THE FAMILY. Try to avoid having a strict schedule because failing to adhere can be disappointing. Instead have a general rhythm that you follow each day. Be sure to include time for exercise, to do house chores, catch up with friends and family remotely and time to be outside. It is important to maintain an eating schedule so you don’t find yourself snacking all day long.
- OVER-COMMUNICATE. This applies to your family and work. Everyone is adjusting, so it is critical to have conversations about these changes. If you are working from home, be sure your family knows even though you are home you need space and time to work. Kids will react differently to the changes and will need you to provide guidance. Be sure to speak clearly, openly and with age appropriate language to help them adjust to their new normal.
- HAVE FUN! Look for new ways to connect with your children and partner. Play boardgames, go for hikes or spend time in nature. Cook a new meal or delicious dessert. Start a puzzle or make a fort with blankets. Listen to audiobooks, dig into your family history or have a dance party.
Kidney Donors Save Lives
