Your Local Guide to Better Living
HEALTH
Spring 2020
INSIDE This Issue
Hospice of the Valley
What is telehealth and why are we hearing so much about it?
CONTINUED EYE CARE ............ 10
Associated Retina Consultants have served Arizona for 30+ years
ESSENTIAL SERVICES NEEDED ............. 14 Vitalant urges donors to donate to save lives
Special Supplement to The Glendale Star and Peoria Times
Finding comfort in uncertain times BY LIN SUE COONEY
TELEHEALTH: BENEFITS .............. 6
WELLNESS
In times of great stress, we are especially vulnerable. The social distancing we are all practicing to stay safe is taking its toll. We are challenged trying to keep our children mentally and physically active. We may even find ourselves feeling bored or lost because familiar routines have been disrupted. We miss the way things used to be. But it is possible to stay positive, maintain daily connection with others and regain a sense of control in our lives. Here are 10 tips from Hospice of the Valley that may help ease the distress and isolation some of us are feeling. 1. Stay calm. Focus on the positive. Remind yourself this is a temporary situation and do what you can to assist others in a safe way. 2. Have a daily plan. Whether you are working from home or not working at all during this outbreak, organize your time and keep your schedules as normal as possible so life can still feel manageable. Do things that give you a sense of control. 3. Do a spiritual reset. Instead of getting lost in uncertainty, realize that all we really know about is today. Challenge yourself to appreciate “living in the moment.” Practice mindfulness or short meditations to help you focus on the present. We have guided mindfulness practices you can do from the comfort of home, at no cost, at hov.org/ our-care/mindfulness. We also have two relaxation videos to help calm and soothe
anxiety, “Magic Kite Relaxation” and “Forest Relaxation,” which can be found at hov.org/ resources/grief-resources. 4. Manage anxiety as it occurs. Thought stopping can be an effective technique to prevent our imaginations from spiraling out of control. 5. Eat a healthy diet. Empty calories do not give you the healthy fuel you need to feel good. They can bog down your system and weaken your emotional immunity. Be aware that alcohol significantly lowers Hospice of the Valley social worker Joy Martin and nurse Gina Day with physical immunity. Find alter- patient Jack Tracey. (Photo courtesy Hospice of the Valley) native ways of relaxing. Don’t let it become the focal point of con6. Exercise. This is a must to help man- versations and take command of your enage stress, depression or anxiety. Your tire day. Set limits on news watching. Stay body’s natural serotonin is one of nature’s informed but do normal activities. most important mood stabilizers. Research 10. Start or keep a gratitude journal or shows even a short brisk walk can effec- notepad. Before going to bed, write down tively manage depression. one or two things you are grateful for. Let 7. Find your positive voice. Watch your those thoughts lull you to sleep—relax into narrative. Our thoughts tend to be more them. Do not succumb to a nightcap unless negative when we are hurt and grieving. it’s a warm, caffeine-free drink. Connect with positive people. Read, watch Life is full of circumstances we cannot programs and find uplifting stories to en- control, but we can control our response to gage your mind. difficult situations. This is an opportunity 8. Don’t isolate. Isolation is a huge trig- to embrace positivity and find new ways of ger when grieving. Call, text or email at helping each other and ourselves successleast two people daily to avoid negativity fully navigate this uncertain time. And if and maintain social connections. Everyone you have a bereavement need, don’t hesbenefits. itate to call Hospice of the Valley at 6029. Limit time talking about the virus. 530-6970 or visit hov.org.
