Dealing with stress during the pandemic

A note to our readers

Due to the large number of event cancellations brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, we have limited the daily Datebook listing.

Many of the listings for meetings and events in the Datebook were previously submitted weeks in advance, prior to the pandemic, and as a result, were out of date.

Meetings and events will not be listed in Datebook unless a group or organization makes a request by email, lifestyles@hotsr.com, or in writing to The Sentinel-Record Datebook, 300 Spring St., Hot Springs, AR 71901.

Support groups

Narcotics Anonymous meets at noon and 8 p.m. today at 919 Hobson Ave. This is a 12-step recovery program for people for whom drugs have become a major problem. The Helpline number is 501-321-8700.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets daily at 8 p.m.; at 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; at noon Monday-Saturday; and at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The speaker meeting is at 11 a.m. Sunday. The step meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The men’s and women’s meeting is at 6 p.m. Friday. All meetings are held at 411 Sellers St. Call 501-623-6328, for more information.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Last House on the Block, meets at 6 and 8 a.m. today at 315 W. Grand Ave. Call 866-754-2579, for more information.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Malvern Group, meets at 8 p.m. today at 211 W. Third St., Malvern, in the upstairs Chamber of Commerce Building. Doors open 7 p.m. Call 501-467-5409, or 501-2319518, for AA information, or 501-623-6328, for Hot Springs Intergroup.

Lifeline Al-Anon Family Groups, a fellowship for relatives and friends of alcoholics, meets at 11 a.m. today at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 109 Hobson Ave. Call Melinda, 501-5207876, for more information.

A grief support group meets at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Dierksen Hospice Office, 3648 Highway 7 north, Suite E. Call 501-318-1500, or 501-915-8500, for more information.

Al-Anon, 109 Hobson Ave., meets Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Call Rosemary, 501-525 -1963, for more information.

Thrift stores

Guardian Angels Thrift Store, 907 Hobson Ave., accepts good used items. All donations are tax-deductible. All proceeds go to support the cat shelter and rescue operations. Volunteers are needed, training is provided. Call 501-609-9950, or email gacr@att.net, for more information.

Miscellaneous

Duplicate bridge will be closed until further notice to ensure the health of its members. For more information, visit https://www.bridgewebs. com/househotsprings/.

Stress is a part of everyday life. People experience stress in one of two ways: positive or negative, according to Linda Inmon, Extension associate-family and consumer sciences at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Positive stress is getting that promotion you’ve been seeking, buying that dream house or car, or getting married to the person you want to be with for the rest of your life, Inmon said in a news release. Negative stress can cause extreme anxiety especially during times of uncertainties such as the case with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Negative stress takes a toll on the body and mind by weakening the immune system as we brace and wait for the pandemic to finally be over,” Inmon said. “However, to ensure that it does not become overwhelming we must recognize and address our stress because of the pandemic.”

It is easy for most people to recognize signs of stress because they know their own bodies. Some signs of stress include, but are not limited to, headaches, anxiety, anger, fatigue, stomach problems, trouble concentrating and a feeling of despair, she said. However, each person handles stress differently.

When stressors are broken into manageable parts it makes it easier to deal with, Inmon said. Start by thinking about what is bothering you the most.

“Write your stressors on a sheet of paper and cross off those items that are least likely to affect you or your family,” she said. “Change the things that you can by creating strategies to help you maintain focus. Stop worrying about the things you can’t do anything about. And stay informed but take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news, including social media.”

Another thing you can do to reduce or eliminate stress is to maintain as much of a routine as possible. Prepare for each day as if you were going to work or school, Innon said. It is important to maintain healthy eating habits and drink plenty of water to nourish your body and brain. If you are a primary caregiver, remember to set aside time for yourself to relax and renew your energy.

“Stay active and laugh often,” Inmon said.