Your wellbeing and emotional resilience is essential as we work to help our community through the COVD-19 outbreak. High levels of Stress, Depression and Anxiety significantly increase a risk of a Stroke. Stroke remains to be the #1 cause of adult disability and #5 cause of death in the United States.

On average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds and there are about 795,000 new or recurrent strokes each year.

Try these helpful tips to destress and practice healthy lifestyle.

• Take a few minutes to practice mindful meditation by sitting in a quiet place, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breathing. Here is a link to meditation techniques to help fight stress.
• Decide to listen to the news only a short part of the day and make a plan for your day
• Take a walk in your neighborhood, local park or your favorite trail
• Tune out the stress of world events with your favorite music
• Take a break to pet your dog, hug your family member or connect with loved ones via text, phone, email or video.
• Find a way to help someone in your neighborhood or circle of friends – even if just a call to lift their spirits
• Get plenty of sleep

• Find at least 30 minutes in your day to raise your heart-rate with a run or a brisk walk

• If the weather keeps you indoors, try jumping jacks, stair climbing or step ups
• Build your strength with push-ups, sit-ups or squats
• Take advantage of an on-line exercise class, yoga practice or meditation technique

• Include a small amount of lean meat or fish in your meals
• Dried or canned legumes combined with a whole grain are a great source of protein
• Fresh is best, but frozen or canned vegetables are a handy substitute
• Nuts and seeds make a handy and healthy snack
• Stock up on a seasonal fruit with a long shelf life, ie apples, pears, oranges or mandarins
• Stock up on veggies that keep us healthy and keep carrots, onions, garlic, beets, cabbage on hand.

• 24/7 Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Call Center: 800-704-0900
• Crisis Text Line: Text RENEW to 741741
• 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 855-278-4204