Staying Positive While Staying at Home

Most of us have closely followed the news about the COVID-19 outbreak. At times the news can seem overwhelming, but we are starting to see signs of the light at the end of the tunnel. There will be a time when the social distancing guidelines are lifted and we can get together with friends and family again. Because Pennsylvania is in a stay-at-home order until April 30, we still have a couple of weeks left to be cautious, and keeping a positive mindset is the key to staying healthy and happy while we all stay apart, together. Keep up your sleep routine. There may be times when it is harder to get to sleep or when youd like to stay in bed longer, but experts say sticking to a consistent bedtime and wake time helps your sleep rhythms so you can get more restful sleep overall. Make new routines for communication with family. Even with everyone staying at home, many kids are working on schoolwork and parents are juggling working at home with full-time parenting. Choosing a time each day for phone calls or video calls that works for everyone makes family connections part of the routine, and it gives everyone time to relax and enjoy staying in touch. Find that sense of purpose. Even without the pandemic and stay-at-home orders, everyone needs a sense of purpose for good mental health. If you dont already have a hobby that gives you that satisfaction, now is a good time to find one and incorporate it into your routine. Try gardening, knitting or sewing, crossword puzzles, or any other hobby that you enjoy. If your hobby involved volunteer work that is no longer allowed with the stay-at-home order, find something that gives you the same satisfaction temporarily until you can resume your volunteering, like sewing masks for healthcare workers or writing letters to people who are confined at home. Exercise. Safe, appropriate exercise keeps your body healthy and your mental attitude and focus strong, so keep up with any exercise routine youve already been doing. If you dont usually exercise, contact your doctor to discuss the safest exercise routine to keep you healthy many doctors are providing telemedicine services during the pandemic so that you dont need to visit their offices. Simple ways to stay more active include standing up at every commercial while watching TV to walk around, taking the stairs when possible (if they are safe), and working on projects around the house. Follow guidelines for seniors. When restrictions are lifted, pay attention to guidelines offered for seniors about how to stay safe as you transition back to normal routines. You may still need to wear a mask or gloves and keep a safe distance until more treatments and vaccines are developed. At Ashbridge Manor Senior Living, we make it easy for our residents to stay at home and stay positive by providing food services, laundry, hair services, walking trails, a library, and a gift shop, and more right at our facilities so you can stay healthy while staying at home. When its time to consider transitioning to senior assisted living, contact us at Ashbridge Manor Senior Living. Our dedicated senior living professionals are here to make the transition easy, and our facilities emphasize wellness, fun daily activities, and a welcoming sense of community. Find us at 971 E. Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown, PA, call 610.269.8800, or contact us online for more information.