JUNE 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 45
LIVE+WELL
MENTAL HEALTH
PANDEMIC COPING SKILLS The concept of "social distancing" was
no doubt a mystery to millions of people
prior to 2019. But in the wake of the outbreak
of Covid-19, a novel coronavirus
that was first discovered in China in late
2019 but soon spread across the globe, social
distancing became a household term.
Social distancing refers to actions deliberately
designed to increase the physical
space between people to avoid spreading
illness. The American Psychological
Association notes that social distancing
typically requires that people stay at
least 6 feet apart from each other while
also avoiding gathering spaces such as
schools, churches, concert halls, and
public transportation. In an effort to
prevent community spread, many state
and provincial governments mandated
the closure of all businesses deemed
"nonessential," forcing many working
professionals to work from home fulltime
and temporarily putting millions
of additional workers out of work.
Social distancing measures are designed
to serve the greater good, and
these efforts can be effective at stopping
the spread of harmful viruses like
COVID-19. But social distancing also
can produce unwanted side effects. The
APA notes that research has shown that
people who are social distancing may be
vulnerable to fear and anxiety; depression
and boredom; anger, frustration or
irritability; and stigmatization. However,
the APA also notes that research has
uncovered successful ways to cope with
social distancing.
• Make time for fun activities.
Psychologists recommend balancing
time spent on news and social media
with other activities unrelated to social
distancing or quarantine. Make
a conscious effort each day to read a
book, listen to music, or even learn a
new language.
• Get news from reliable sources.
Inaccurate information about
Covid-19 can spread fear, making
it even more difficult for people to
cope with social distancing. The
APA recommends that people get
their information from news outlets
that rely on trusted organizations
such as the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention and the World
Health Organization.
• Maintain virtual connections
with others. Face-to-face interactions
may not be possible, but the APA
notes the value of phone calls, text
messages, video chat, and social
media. These channels of communication
provide an opportunity to
stay connected with loved ones and
express emotions.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. The
APA advises everyone to get enough
sleep, eat well, and exercise while
social distancing. Do not cope with
the issues that result from social distancing
by using alcohol or drugs,
which may only exacerbate feelings
of anxiety and depression. People
also can consider their telehealth
options so they can access psychotherapists
to help them through.
Social distancing has proven challenging
for humanity across the globe. As
difficult as social distancing can be,
there are ways for people to cope and
stay in touch with their loved ones.
More information about social distancing
is available at apa.org
-Metro Creative Connection
Despite some rules being lifted,
some remain anxious. (Getty Images)
FOR A LOVED ONE WHO FALLS, HOUSE CALLS ARE BACK
With mom and dad staying
in more, falls at home are
skyrocketing. There are ways
to help.
The Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) estimates that every 11
seconds, a senior citizen like
your mom or dad falls and ends
up in an ER, often with great
distress and pain. Falls can cause
major life-changing injuries
requiring tons of resources to
help her or him get back to some
semblance of normal life.
And those were the CDC’s
estimates before Covid-19.
With older adults becoming less
active and staying in more often,
more falls have become another
impact of the pandemic on our
silver-haired population.
“Fall prevention comes down to
one word: confidence,” says Dr.
Daniel Davids, PT, owner of The
Traveling Physical Therapist, a
local group of balance experts
providing preventive care
in the homes of Long Island
seniors. “If you can introduce
a knowledgeable and warm
therapist into the home (where
most falls happen), you can get
seniors stronger, make them
more flexible, improve their
balance. And their confidence
will absolutely skyrocket!
Elderly falls are a completely
avoidable event and are NOT a
normal part of aging.”
Dr. Davids created The Traveling
Physical Therapist to provide inhome
fall-prevention services
shortly after his grandmother
passed away from complications
related to a fall.
“No family should have to
deal with the loss of someone
they love for something so
preventable,” he says. “Like
most falls, she was home when
it happened. I wish there had
been a service like this for her.”
In-home physical therapy is
not a new idea by any means,
but The Traveling Physical
Therapist stands out because
it accepts Medicare where most
others do not.
To help reduce the fall risk of
Long Islanders, Dr. Davids
published a book, “That
Really Helpful Book on Fall
Prevention”, with tips, tricks,
and exercises seniors can do to
reduce their risk of falling. If
you’re interested in receiving a
copy, visit TheTravelingPT.com/
Falls or call 646-733-4737 and
mention the Long Island Press.
Dr. Davids will mail you a copy
of his book, free of charge. It will
help your family members move
as confidently and safely as they
did 25 years ago.
www.TheTravelingPT.com
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