Everything seems to be heating around here again. With having the possibility of another shutdown hanging over heads now life seems to be getting a little out of control again. That being said there is truly a lot to be concerned about and we all need to pay attention and be smart about how we go through in our daily lives. It is easy to get fatigued over hearing the same news cycle over and over again day in and day. This can cause us to start to let our guards down, well this is not the time to let our guards down.

During the first shut down there was a huge price to pay physically and psychologically for most of us. The idea of having our routines and way of life turned upside down was very stressful and harmful physically, emotionally and mentally for most of us. I personally do not want to go through those feelings again. So here is what I am doing to try to help myself, family and friends.

1- Wear my mask - For those of you who know me and know how I feel about the mask. I am not a fan of them for numerous reasons, but that being said I view the need to help others more important than how I feel about wearing a mask and NO this has nothing to do with my so called personal freedoms that some people seem to find the need to hide behind. Just wear your mask please!!

2- Limit my travels - I have been doing this since this past spring. What I have done is limit myself from going to places that would be considered out of the ordinary to me. It has to be something I view as extremely important to me or to someone else close to me.

3- Limit my exposure to people I do not know

4- Workout everyday - Your physical health and how you take care of yourself is key not only physically, but mentally as well. When you are feeling physically strong, it will have a direct correlation to how you feel mentally and emotionally.

5- Watch what I fuel my body with - Eating healthy and working out are also key to a well balanced immune system. During the shutdown alcohol sales went through the roof countrywide and the average person put anywhere between 10 to 15 pounds on their bodies. This is a sure fire way to destroy your immune system. Your immune system is your NUMBER 1 protector for your body. Please do not do things that will sabotage your immune system. This is your body's safeguard.

6- Get outside - This one I found to be the most important for me personally. Getting outside allows me to take my workout to the outdoors into the woods and either trail run, mountain bike or just hike. The fresh air helps the body restore itself. The fresh oxygen helps our brains to think more clearly and allows us to calm our thought processes down. Mother nature has her own ways of making us stronger inside and out physically, mentally and emotionally. When you are feeling depressed or overwhelmed with everything, take a walk and breath in through the nose. Take big deep breaths and take notice how much better you start to feel on all levels.

These suggestions are not going to solve everything, but I know for a fact they work and they help you and everyone around you. Keep your heads up and work on staying positive.