i think it's safe to say that all of us have had our lives altered by the health crisis that is sweeping the world maybe you're someone who needs to work daily with the added stress of having kids to care for at home or maybe you're out of work and living with the uncertainty of how you'll pay rent and get food perhaps you're a frontline health worker a teacher or first responder who's trying to do their job under very difficult and dangerous circumstances or like many of us you could just be struggling with the isolation and anxiety that comes with living during these uncertain times fortunately during this time where so much is out of our control there are some daily practices that if done consistently over time will help promote and sustain your mental and physical health perhaps the best place to start is by taking care of your physical self practice good sleep hygiene to help promote good sleep try turning off all electronics at least an hour before you go to bed reading a book in bed or taking a warm bath get regular exercise getting just 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily is perhaps the best thing you can do to maintain your physical and mental health eat good foods eat lots of fruits veggies and lean meats or fish to give your body what its needs avoid spending too much time in front of screens make your use of these devices intentional avoid excessive alcohol and drug use abusing substances to deal with anxiety depression or loneliness will only make these struggles worse and can have serious physical and mental health consequences the second area to focus that helps promote good physical and mental health is your brain here are a few tips for promoting good brain health develop and keep a routine coven 19 is made it very difficult to establish and keep any sort of routine so this step is critical in getting back to some type of normal go for a walk each morning to start your day eat meals at a regular time or try scheduling a family movie night or a game night each week keep yourself busy learn a new instrument a foreign language or pick up a new hobby meditate or do yoga research shows that developing a practice of mindfulness like meditation or yoga keeps the mind and body healthy practice gratitude maintaining a focus on the good things the things you're grateful for in your life activate the pleasure centers in the brain and helps promote the release of endorphins like dopamine and serotonin connect with others utilize video chat to connect with important people in your life or write an actual letter to someone if you find yourself struggling with depression or anxiety day after day or if you have thoughts of hopelessness or self-harm it's important to reach out to a pastor a trusted friend or a therapist often just talking about these things helps us feel more understood and connected which can reduce the intensity of these thoughts and feelings together we are stronger and together we will get through this [Music] you