COVID-19: How to keep in touch with RSC counselors & ways to reduce anxiety during this pandemic

Illustration courtesy of Carrie Stephens Art

By Ahmya Williams - Lifestyle Editor

 Rose State counselors have found a way to keep in touch with students during this pandemic. 
   Dr. Joanne Stafford, head counselor of Rose State, explains how students can arrange counseling sessions. 
   “We have a new online platform which allows us to hold free confidential counseling sessions; call 733-7373 to arrange your first session with a Rose State counselor,” she said. “If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message with your phone number and we will call back as soon as we can. You may also emailcounselingservices@rose.edu to arrange a counseling session.” 
   Many people are going through a rough time right now due to COVID-19. Do not hesitate to contact a counselor or talk to someone you trust. It is important to take care of yourself mentally during this time. 
   Stafford recommended the following ways to increase self-care and reduce anxiety: 

1. Set up a routine for yourself while you are in quarantine or working from home; routines help stabilize body clocks. Get up at the same time every day: a regular wake time is the most important input for stabilizing your body clock.
   
2. Make sure you spend some time outdoors every day, especially in the early morning; your body clock is regulated by the light-dark cycle. If you can’t go outside try to spend at least two hours by a window, looking into the daylight, and focusing on being calm.
   
3. Set times for a few regular activities each day such as home tutoring, telephone calls with a friend or cooking; do these activities at the same time each day.
   
4. Exercise every day, ideally at the same time each day.
   
5. Eat meals at the same time every day; if you’re not hungry, at least eat a small snack.
   
6. Social interactions are important, even during social distancing; seek out “back and forth” social interactions where you share thoughts and feelings with another person in real-time; videoconferencing, telephone or real-time text-messaging is preferred to scrolling through messages; schedule these interactions at the same time every day.
   
7. Normalize. Anxiety is normal, our brain is attempting to protect us by staying on guard, alert. We are aiming to lessen the anxiety with intermittent breaks, not get rid of it completely. Fight-Flight-Freeze.
   
8. Taking care of the basics. Things to consider: Are you drinking enough water? Making healthy food choices some of the time? Getting proper sleep? Going outside, breathing fresh air? Staying on a schedule?
   
9. Limit the amount of news and social media you consume. Is it helpful to be bombarded by news throughout the day? Or is it more helpful to check once a day to stay informed?. 
   
10. Watch a funny movie, read a lighthearted book, watch funny cat videos, do anything which perpetuates opposite emotions of anxiety. 
    

   Rose State counseling is free, convenient and confidential. Set up an appointment by calling 733-7373.





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