Identify your stress. Make a list of what’s bothering you to get it out of your mind and into the open. Break down each item into categories of what you can control. Are you worried about you or your family getting sick? You don’t have total control over that, but you can try and prevent it. Write down how: washing your hands, social distancing, etc. Keep top of mind how you can control what is happening to you.
Change what you can. You may be needed at work right now, but you can still practice better habits to protect yourself and others. Staying up-to-date on what’s happening and practicing suggested actions will help protect you and those you care about.
Accept what you can’t change. A lot of what is happening is out of your control. But we can decide how we deal with it. Use emotion-focused coping strategies to help manage your stress during this time. Whether that’s in-home exercise, mindfulness, or even just taking a break by watching your favorite show or reading a book, make sure to take time for yourself.
If you are struggling, check to see if your place of work has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). For Matrix employees, the Employee Assistance Program can assist immediately.
Call or go online and benefit from three free counseling sessions based around the issues below and more:
The Matrix EAP program is available to all Matrix employees, spouses/partners, and family household dependents anytime, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Matrix EAP Contact Information:
Phone: (888) 267 – 8126
Website: www.login.lifeworks.com
User ID: matrix
Password: 1325
For Canadians:
Phone: 1 (877) 207 8833
Website:www.login.lifeworks.com
User ID: matrix
Password: canada
Additional coverage varies by medical plans. For questions specific to a Matrix medical plan you are enrolled in please contact the Benefits Assistance Center at 844-407-9449.
Limit the number of trips you need to take to public spaces, such as grocery stores. Stock up on these 11 foods that you can freeze to maintain your social distancing and save money!
As a general rule, foods can be stored in the freezer for three to six months, however, we’ve included some timelines for items that will keep well past that guideline. Remember to write the date on your freezer foods and leave space at the top of any container because foods and liquids expand when frozen.
Freeze This:
Not That:
These Veggies: celery, cucumbers, lettuce, uncooked potatoes, and salad greens
These Fruits: apples, grapefruits, lemons, limes, oranges, and watermelon
These Dairy Items: cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and salad dressing
Sources
“31 Things You Can Freeze to Save Time & Money,” onegoodthingbyjilee.com, Jan. 20, 2017.
“12 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze,” Food Network Kitchen, foodnetwork.com, accessed on May 5, 2017.
“The Do-Not-Freeze-These-Foods List,” Stephanie Barlow, thekitchn.com, March 21, 2012.
Let the tide tickle your toes and the sun warm your shoulders right where you are. Enjoy a spring break getaway without buying a plane ticket – check out the tropical treat we’re featuring this month that’s so good – and good for you, it will feel like you’re on vacation!
Tropical Bay Parfait Recipe
Serves: 2
Ingredients
Directions
Adapted from “The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor,” by Gina Homolka
15-Minute Home Cardio Workout — NO Equipment Needed!
by Kristy Hegner
Warmup
Jog in place for one minute.
Workout
Complete each exercise below for 30 seconds with a 30- to 60-second rest in-between.
Repeat for 15 minutes.
Cooldown
Walk slowly and stretch until you’ve reached a resting heart rate. Aim for about five minutes.
“15-Minute Body-Weight HIIT Workout,” Shane Barnard, JD, blog.myfitnesspaul.com, April 10, 2016.
by Jessica Malen
Decreased social contact and negative news can take a toll on mental and emotional health. Self-care is not selfish. Pay attention to your mental and emotional health and equip yourself to boost your resiliency and be there for others in their times of need. Read more here.
Why Self-care Isn’t Selfish
While it might sound contradictory, practicing self-care can actually be one of the most selfless things you can do. When you take time out to for you, it revitalizes your life so you can be the best version of yourself for others. Discover our favorite self-care tips below.
Many are familiar with the increasing pressures of the workplace and life in general, where the work never really ends in our hyper-connected world. This warped balance can leave us feeling burnt-out and unfulfilled. That’s why self-care is important. No matter how fancy the term sounds, self-care is critical for our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
When we neglect self-care, by putting others first all the time, we abandon the practices that make us healthy and happy, and allow us to thrive. If you want to maintain an active, full life, it is important to take time out each day just for you.
Self-care means paying attention to and supporting your own physical and mental health. It is a big part of treating many physical and mental health disorders.
Five Ways to Practice Self-Care
You might not be able to engage in all of these practices every day, but if you make self-care a priority and incorporate it in your daily life, you may feel and function better.
The bottom line is: the better we feel and function, the more we can do for the people and things we care about, and that is a win-win.
Sources:
“Self-care: 4 ways to nourish body and soul,” Monique Tello, MD, MPH, Harvard Health Publishing, health.harvard.edu, Nov. 16, 2017.
“Self-care for the caregiver,” Marlynn Wei, MD, JD, Harvard Health Publishing, health.harvard.edu, Oct. 17, 2018.
“Practicing Self-Care Is Important: 10 Easy Habits to Get You Started,” Noma Nazish, forbes.com, Sept. 19, 2017.
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