HCOE Gives Some Mental and Emotional Well-Being Tips

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Office of Education:

Times such as these are stressful. You may even be experiencing fear and anxiety. While it may seem like there’s nothing you can do to manage stress from home, there are steps you can take to relieve pressure and regain mental as well as emotional control. Humboldt County Office of Education’s staff Cindi Kaup, an Early Childhood Development Coordinator, and Peter Stoll, a School Psychologist, have provided guidance to help families maintain a positive environment at home in two recent articles for the North Coast Journal.

Cindi expresses the importance of communicating with children, in her article “You May be the World.” She reassures parents that “it is OK for children to see you experiencing emotions” and to use this as an opportunity to educate them in identifying those emotions and ways to cope with them. Cindi suggests, engaging in mindful activities with your child through play can lift spirits and build connection.

Peter’s article “Into an Unknown Wilderness” takes a personal approach. He anticipates  – like many of us do – the day everything would return to normal. Many of us fear the unforeseeable future, which can trigger vices and unhealthy behaviors. Peter reiterates the importance of getting enough sleep, exercising (while maintaining social distancing), and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

Remember, everyone responds to stressful situations differently. It is good to recognize those emotions and learn how to manage them. Mental and emotional health are just as important as physical health to maintain an overall well-being.

For more information and resources visit, www.hcoe.org/covid-19