Since we’re all staying home—and it’s looking like we will be for at least a while— you might be starting to wonder how exactly you’re going to fill up your time. Pemi-Baker has some ideas with digital gatherings and events. But it’s also important to stay as connected as possible with family, friends, and neighbors, give back to your community, get the material supplies you need, and find new ways to keep yourself entertained.
Entertainment: Explore the World, Virtually
With a library card, you can continue to borrow digital resources like e-books, audiobooks, music, TV shows, movies, and more. Visit your local library’s website to find out which services they partner with. OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy are some popular ones. Now’s also the perfect time to check out video streaming services, download a few podcasts, or explore the depths of YouTube. Cultural institutions are moving museum and art gallery exhibits and performances online too, but if you just need a break for something mindless and happy, animal videos are the way to go. 
The Cincinnati Zoo is offering daily Facebook Live video streams of Fiona the hippo, and Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium filmed its pretty adorable penguins roaming and visiting other exhibits after closure.
Remember to Love Thy Neighbor Now
Now is the time to reach out to one another. Do you know the people who live on your block or in your apartment building? If you can’t call, put a note on their door with your name and phone number. Explain that you live next door or down the street. Tell them you want them to feel free to ask for help. Many people are uncomfortable asking for help. Instead of just saying, “Do you need help?” offer to do something specific for them.
There are many things you can do. Before you run to the grocery store, drug store or a restaurant to pick up take-out, call and ask your neighbors if they need you to pick up something for them. Volunteer to walk their dog or would it be helpful for them if you put their mail and newspaper beside their front door? Does their yard need maintenance? Ask if they would like you to start raking or maybe putting their trash out or bringing the empty cans back into the garage would be helpful. If you have extra soap, toilet paper or other staples, leave a care package at your neighbor’s door. If you’re looking for ways to engage your children, have them help with some of these ideas.
Don’t Forget Self-care to Manage Your Stress and Anxiety.
It can seem like you don’t have time for things like self-care. But this situation is a marathon — not a sprint – and it’s important to take care of yourself throughout. Take a 10-minute break to do some light breathing exercises or yoga. Purposeful, mindful breathing has been shown to be an effective tool against anxiety. Right now, the meditation app Headspace is offering some free tools picked just for this time, and it’s offering totally free subscriptions for healthcare workers. Www.Calm.com is another great site and Balance is a meditation app you can download on your phone.
Consider limiting your coronavirus news consumption. It’s important to stay informed, but refreshing your feeds constantly for tidbits of news on the coronavirus isn’t going to prove productive. Instead, check the CDC website for updates periodically and try to spend most of your day focused on other things.
Talk to your friends and family. It’s important that even though this situation leads to increased social isolation that you stay in touch with people. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend for a phone call — or better yet — a video chat.
Pemi-Baker Community Health is Continuing Their Important Services.
Here at Pemi Baker Community Health and Hospice we take our patient’s health seriously and also the health of ourselves and our community. We want to assure you that we are taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus into our community. We are following both the CDC and the NH Department of Health’s recommendations for healthcare workers. In order to meet the needs of our home care and hospice patients and to minimize vulnerable patients from going out into the community, our field staff will continue making home visits.
We have taken steps to prioritize our Rehab Therapy Patients at Boulder Point. To minimize exposure and help our patients continue their physical and occupational therapy we have: Limited entrance to our facility to patients only, suspended all memberships and swim lessons, implemented social distancing with staff by working from home and separating work stations and surfaces are wiped down after each patient with CDC recommended bleach solutions as well as always washing hands after contact with surfaces and patients.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns by calling our office: 603-536-2232
Be well and stay safe.
~Anna Swanson
