The EAP can help get you through this crisis
As UBalt is taking precautions to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, it also is important that we each take action to care for ourselves.
The novel coronavirus outbreak has increased stress and anxiety in nearly every facet of our lives. We are going through uncharted waters and managing a life that has been totally upended, from learning new technology, practicing social distancing, or having to juggle telework with kids at home. How are you coping? How is your emotional health?
We cannot predict how this is all going to pan out, but we can help you to stay calm and keep active. GuidanceResources EAP work life and wellness programs will continue with remote program options. Check back often for future webinars and virtual programs.
Staying Calm and Managing Anxiety
As was summed up in an article published by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California-Berkeley:
“One way is to use whatever tools you have at your disposal for keeping a cool head — like practicing mindfulness, which has been shown to both lessen emotional reactivity and help us make better decisions. We might take a walk in the park or nearby woods and let nature soothe us. Or we could talk to a friend — a calm friend, that is — who can help us reduce our anxiety. Of course, our normal ways of connecting socially — like singing together at a concert or going to large parties — may have to change. But whatever we can do to maintain an air of calm, and to spread it to those around us, the better. After all, our emotions tend to be contagious in our social circles, and we should do our best to keep fear and panic contained.”
Tools for Resilience, Compassion, and Stress
- PositivePsychology.com: Visit The Crisis Kit, which offers free, science-based resources for building resilience in the face of stress.
- Tips on Resilience: From positivepsychology.com to help you beat stress, trauma, and adversity with resilience.
- Scientific Resources and Tools During COVID-19: Read about stories and tips for individuals, families, and educators
- 29k: C ourses to help manage stress and anxiety and practice mindfulness; includes a nonprofit app, completely free! Download the app or visit the website.
- 10 Tips for Emotional Well-Being
- Grateful Living Resources: A Pandemic Care Package
Health Care Resources to Help Manage Stress and Anxiety
- Kaiser Permanente: Visit Kaiser Permanente for helpful online resources to understand and manage stress and anxiety.
- State of Maryland Wellness Program Resources
- Optum Free Emotional Support Line (available to everyone and answered 24/7): 1-866-342-6892
- Connect with your medical plan for support in managing stress and anxiety via telephone, email, and video visits: United Healthcare, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield , and Kaiser Permanente
- The Happiness Lab (Yale University) Podcasts: Updated for coping with the stress of COVID-19
Tools to Help Maintain your Mental Health
- CDC
- National Council on Aging
- Maryland Department of Health: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions about Mental Health
- Department of Budget and Management-practical advice for teleworking with kids and tips on reducing anxiety
- NAMI
Online Support Forums
- Daily Strength serves as an online forum for mental wellness and stress relief strategies. You can create a free membership on this website to access a wealth of valuable wellness and coping tools.
Tools for Movement
- Yoga:Free yoga classes without subscription
- YouTube offers a wide variety of free yoga and meditation videos for beginners to advanced. Check out:
- YOGA UPLOAD with Maris Aylward
- Jessamyn Stanley
- Yoga Journal
- Many yoga studios are offering their regular class schedule ONLINE! Check in via social media with your local studio to see if they are streaming any of their classes online for free!
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Gyms
- LA Fitness members can access fitness classes online through their mobile app for FREE. Get your sweat on with an at-home workout!
- Check with your local gym for any free programs they may have for members.
- Five-Minute Full Body Stretch: L earn tips on flexibility and take a short break and stretch!
- Down Dog App: https://www.downdogapp.com/
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Meditation
- The Mindful Movement YouTube channel: Discover guided meditations for inner peace and deep relaxation.
- Calm App: Offering free resources for guided mediations, yoga classes, and other tools for reducing anxiety. The app offers several free guided meditations (and access to more with a two-week trial).
- Aquarium Meditations
- Free Meditations: Have a calm day with the Shine App!
- Nature Scopes-relax with views of nature and music.
Tools for Parents
Learn ways to manage having your work and family all in one place.
You are not alone in this time of isolation. This section is dedicated to new parents of newborns and "new" parents with other aged-children, and school - aged children from Pre-k to middle school. More resources will be added as they develop.
Back to school Resources
- ComPsych Back to School Toolkit COVID-19
- Tutoring Community Forum for K-12 is a platform that offers math, science and other general homework questions.
- Maryland State Department of Education Parent Resources offers a wealth of online learning tools by subject area for K-12.
- Maryland’s Division of Early Childhood offers g rants and p rogramming during COVID-19.
- Math and Reading Help
Learning Tools By Age
New-born to 3 years old :
Lactation and New Parent Resources
- Tools for New Parents and Breastfeeding COVID-19 Resources
- Tips for Coping with a New Baby During COVID-19 - Learn these helpful tips in consoling a crying baby and cope with stress that comes along with taking care of a newborn.
- FAQ for infants and toddlers about screen time, socialization, and more.
Pre-K to Fifth Grade:
Reading and literacy Tools to enrich and engage in your child's learning
- Watch Stories brought to you by a library directory.
- Reading tools (PreK-5)
- More reading tools
- Literacy, Math, Social/Emotional Development
Math Skills
- Reading, Music, Math, and Seasonal learning Fun, interactive learning games for Kindergarten & PreK
Music
- Instruments -L isten to a variety of sounds and learn about them.
Exercise
- Go Noodle ! - A ctive videos you can groove and move to
Middle School :
Additional Resources :
- Even more tips for parents with kids in K-12 to engage in independently or with a caregiver
- Movie reviews for kids
- Maryland Public Schools COVID-19 Information
- Today Show: Stories and tips for parents
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Baltimore County Public Library
- Newsletter for tips and tools on how to keep kids safe and busy!
- Visit their website for more resources, like downloadable books and even access to online classes.
- The Child Mind Institute has free resources for parents, including a video of the day and links to articles that offer advice and guidance.
- Greater Good has resources for everyone and some specifically for parents.
- Follow t he Greater Good Science Center Facebook page for FREE video webinars and Q&As.
- HeartSmarts Adventure: Free access to eLearning programs for kids aged 4-6+; programs to enrich minds of young children; topics from health, wellness, gratitude, and paying it forward.
- Positive Psychology for Children
- Every Kid Healthy Week
- Scholastic Learn From Home
- The Best Ideas for Kids - Fun crafts and activities for kids all ages
- Mental Health First Aid -Tips to help teens to cope during COVID-19
- Met Museum -Appropriate for kids aged up to 12 years old. Discover the Met in New York City virtually! Let your kids explore art and enrich their minds with fun facts, a time machine and creative videos from kids. #metkids
- Mindful Parenting -watch this webinar and learn how to cope with parenting and the pandemic