Take It Easy

"Take it easy, take it easy.
Don't let the sound of your own wheels
drive you crazy.
Lighten up while you still can.
Don't even try to understand.
Just find a place to make your stand,
and take it easy."

If you are anything like me, after reading those lyrics, right about now you are humming to yourself the 1972 song by the Eagles. Given what we are all going through right now, I find this nearly 50 year old song very apropos. It is challenging, to say the least, to completely understand the impact of the current global coronavirus epidemic. In a relatively short amount of time, we have gone from being encouraged to be cautious, to being told to be socially distant, to being involuntarily closed down. It is safe to say that we are clearly in unchartered waters as our global, national, and local leaders work diligently to guide us and do everything possible to safeguard our health and well-being. The complete sell-out of hand sanitizers, rubbing alcohol, disinfectant wipes and sprays, and even toilet paper may be one indication that the "panic button" has been pressed. I am here to say that while I am personally doing everything to keep my own family, friends, clients and students healthy and safe, I prefer to press the "easy button".

If you do not understand my "easy button" reference, or you have forgotten its origin, allow me to explain. Staples, the American office supplies retail company, came up with the marketing slogan "that was easy" in 2003. In what can only be considered marketing genius, they expanded upon that slogan two years later when they used a large red push-button marked with the word "EASY" in all of their advertisements. It caught on so quickly that customers starting inquiring how they could purchase their own version of the easy button. The company responded by making the "Easy Button" a real product and in one year's time, they sold 1.5 million of them! The result: the phrases "that was easy" and "just press the easy button" became part of our vernacular.

We may not realize everything we need to do right now to deal with the current epidemic. What we do all know for sure is that panic and stress will only serve to depress our immune systems and not help us to remain strong and healthy. The medical experts have given us advice that is easy to implement, if we only take the time and make the effort to do so. You have likely heard or read all of the guidance and recommendations already. However, as a reminder, these everyday preventive actions can help you to stay healthy:

●     Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

●     Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

●     Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Immediately wash your hands.

●     Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe each day. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, remote controls, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

These preventative measures are easy implementable and probably things you were doing already. If you are not already carrying out these practices, just press the easy button!

I am in no way attempting to minimize the seriousness of COVID-19. Instead, I am encouraging you to do everything you can to keep your spirits up and boost your energy and immunity. Keep exercising, get plenty of rest, load up on anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables, stay hydrated, take your vitamins and supplements, and continue to connect with your social network, even if it's just via phone, text or Skype.

There is a quote that I think of in times like this. "You can't calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass."

May our world and our nation continue to work together to mitigate the impact of this virus. If I may be of any support to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Choose EASY over PANIC and FAITH over FEAR. Above all else, stay safe, strong and calm...we will get through this.