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Even as businesses begin to reopen, many activities are still on hold for Americans. Our lives are not the same as they were, and unfortunately, stress is one aspect that can continue to impact your life. You should always prioritize your mental and physical health. While you might not be able to pursue everyday methods of stress-relief, below are a few ways you can ease your mind.

5 Strategies to Beat Stress

1. Try Something New  

Physical distancing and restrictions, like restaurant and retail occupancy, can lead to frustration.  Pursuing a new activity or interest can break up the monotony and challenges and allow your mind to focus on other matters. Some possible options include cooking with unique ingredients, watching a new series, reading a book about an unfamiliar topic, learning an instrument, or adding new music to your play list.

2. Get Outdoors

Whether it’s gardening in the backyard or hiking at a local trail, getting outdoors is essential for balanced mental wellness. In addition to giving you a change of scenery, spending time outside is an excellent way to exercise. Physical fitness stimulates the production of endorphins—a hormone that helps with stress relief and pain management.

3. Enjoy a Hobby

Whether you choose to draw, knit, write, solve puzzles, or play games, there are countless hobbies you can embrace at home and with your family. Relaxing with an activity you enjoy can provide an escape from overwhelming thoughts, as well as give you something to look forward to each day. With regular practice, you may notice many positive effects of stress management—such as reduced breathing problems, blood pressure relief, and lower fatigue.

4. Keep Talking

With physical distancing guidelines and travel restrictions still in place, it be easy for depression and stress to occur. That’s why people staying at home should make extra efforts to connect with loved ones. Schedule virtual game nights, have weekly video chats, or text throughout the day to stay social.

5. Take a Breath

When stress levels get too high, taking a break is one of the best ways you can recalibrate your heart rate and emotions. Even if you only do it for a few minutes, you should step away from other activities and relax in a comfortable position while taking deep, controlled breaths.

If you have concerns about your physical or mental wellbeing, Coryell Health will provide the support you need. Offering expansive telehealth services, our Gatesville, TX, medical clinic allows patients to connect with their practitioners, update medications, and take virtual assessments. They also offer specialized care for those who are managing preexisting conditions—including arthritis, diabetes, asthma and other breathing problems. To learn more about these services, visit your Central Texas medical provider online. For general info and telehealth appointment assistance, call (254) 865-2166.

Coryell Health Medical Clinic has set aside appointments for sports and camp physicals, well child visits, and immunizations. Sports physicals for GISD, specifically junior high athletes, will need to be done before June 8^th in order for participation in volleyball and basketball camps, as well as speed and strength training.

Sports & Camp Physicals Includes:

Physicians will check your athlete’s vitals, joints, and flexibility. They’ll also check your athlete’s vision and do a short fitness assessment to diagnose and recommend any possible limitations on physical activity. Texas actually requires that kids and teens have a sports physical before they can start a new sport or begin a new competitive season.

Well Child Check-Ups:

During these visits, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your child’s growth, development, behavior and other health issues with the goal of preventing illness and promoting the best possible health for your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics also provides information on what to expect from your child’s practitioner during a wellness visit. We recommend you write a list of any questions or concerns and bring it with you to the appointment.

What to expect:

·         Recording of height & weight

·         Blood pressure & body temperature check

·         Test of hearing and vision

·         Urine samples

·         Complete physical exam

·         Immunization booster shots

Please bring your child’s insurance card, a list of their medications and- if your child is not already a patient- bring their immunization record. If you need financial assistance, you can complete this form. If you have any questions, or to schedule a visit, please call (254) 865-2166.

We’re here for you and taking extra precautions, so don’t wait to address your medical needs.

3 Important Things to Remember:

1. Call your practitioner now if you’ve been waiting for care. They will either recommend an office visit, a primary care telehealth virtual visit or provide you with a referral to see a specialist.
2. Keep your regular preventive screenings- wellness checks, school screenings and imaging- including CT scan, MRI, X-Ray, and mammogram. Detecting problems early increases the success of treatment.
3. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms. Our emergency department is prepared to safely address any emergency.

To continue reading what Coryell Health is doing to keep you safe, please click here: https://coryellhealth.org/Covid.

Appointments:

Coryell Health Medical Clinic/ Quick Care Walk-In Clinic/ Telehealth (254) 865-2166

Coryell Health Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory (254) 865-8251

For allergy, asthma, fever, burns, bumps and bruises- don’t delay the care you need. If you have an illness or injury this holiday weekend, our Quick Care Walk-In Clinic has extended hours: Saturday 8-6 pm and weekdays until 8pm. We can also connect you to a practitioner virtually with Coryell Health Telemedicine. Our ER is open 24/7. We have strict safety precautions in place to keep you and your family safe. Call (254) 865-2166 for appointments or questions.

Ted Care, Coryell Health employee, has been busy during healthcare week. Ted has been encouraging others to be safe, while enjoying some of the relaxed guidelines. He visited his friend Mary, but was sure to leave space between them, wear a mask, and wash his paws as soon as he arrived.

It’s the people who we know we talk to the most and are more likely to break that 6-foot rule with,” said Diedra Wuenschel, DO, Medical Director of RehabLiving at The Meadows. “That’s where the virus has a better chance of making that leap.”

The virus which causes COVID-19 infects people of all ages. However, evidence suggests two groups of people are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. These are older people (people over 60 years old); and those with underlying medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer). The risk of severe disease gradually increases with age starting from around 40 years. “It’s important that we all take preventive measures to protect those that may be more vulnerable, and that may be more people than one might think. Patients who have diabetes alone will have more problems, as this is a new virus that none of us have any immunity to,” notes Wuenschel.

“Physical distancing puts space between people, to keep anything airborne at a safe distance—that’s why is critical. It also reduces exposure. When people who are infected with the virus stay away from others, they can’t pass it to anyone else” adds Wuenschel. “This way, fewer people get sick at the same time. Then, doctors and hospitals are better able to keep up with treating those who need care.”

In a continued effort to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19, Coryell Health is inviting all cosmetology salons & cosmetologists, barbers, nail salons/techs, tanning salon staff or anyone else who will be resuming business due to the recent executive order by Gov. Abbot to expand openings of certain businesses to present to Coryell Health Medical Clinic, Building 2 for testing.

As we move through this pandemic, Coryell Health continues to identify potential “hot spots” where Coronavirus could rapidly spread. As we resume activity the chances of an increased outbreak rise.

“We want to help our local cosmetologists/nail techs/tanning salons, etc. who are opening back up to be able to do so with confidence that they are safe. If they present before Wednesday, May 6th at 4:00 pm, we are hoping we will have their results by Friday, but if they can’t make it today, we still want to test them,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bates, Coryell Health Chief Medical Officer.

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread. “One thing we do know, is one of the best tools we have to fight the virus is testing,” adds Dr. Bates. “With testing, you can identify asymptomatic carriers or individuals who haven’t started experiencing symptoms. When a patient tests positive for COVID-19, we recommend immediate self-isolation, so the risk of infection in others is mitigated. Once we have identified a positive patient, we can begin to tracking their care and following up on how they are doing.”

Patients should present for testing immediately at Coryell Health Medical Clinic, Building 2, anytime Monday- Saturday, between 8:30 am- 4:00 pm. Please bring your insurance card if you have insurance, but you will not be charged a co-pay and if you do not have insurance, you will not be turned away. If you have any questions, please call (254) 865-2166.

Resources:

Respiratory/COVID-19 24/7 Hotline (254) 248-6263

Coronavirus Online Screening Tool https://coryellhealth.org/covid-19-screening

Coryell Health Medical Clinic/ Quick Care Walk-In Clinic/ Telehealth (254) 865-2166

Coryell Health COVID-19 Website https://coryellhealth.org/covid

The Coronavirus pandemic has left us reeling and struggling to keep up with the changes and disruptions in our everyday lives. It will take a concerted effort, by all of us, to remain calm and empathetic to others, considering we are all dealing with continued physical distancing, self-isolation and for some, being quarantined.

Research suggests caring about others is one of the best ways to fight feelings of isolation and gain self-worth. That’s right! Caring about others can help you feel better. The benefits of giving care and support to others for the support giver are often overlooked.

Fear can evoke anxiety and stress for people of all ages and health statuses. “We’re all under some chronic stress right now,” says Dr. Diedra Wuenschel, DO, Coryell Health Clinic Medical Director. “So while you may be keeping your physical distance from others to prevent the spread of the virus, it doesn’t mean you need to be emotionally distant.” A simple phone call or email checking in on friends can go a long way for you both.

It can be easy to become frustrated at the different ways others are handling the crisis. Try to remember everyone copes differently. People may also feel overwhelmed by conflicting information from news sources and social media. Always try to imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes. “While you cannot control how others behave, you can control your own actions and do your part to gently encourage others to wear masks, keep up the physical distancing and only share information from creditable news sources,” recommends Dr. Wuenschel.  “Ask for help if you need it, especially if you feel sick or need medical treatment. The only way to get through this is together, everyone doing their part for oneself and others.”

Being empathetic towards our family, friends and neighbors will not only open your mind to what others are experiencing, but it can also provide social connectedness that can help combat feelings of isolation.

To speak with a mental health professional for help dealing with stress and other emotions, please call the toll-free COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at 833-986-1919. Help can also be found at https://www.mentalhealth.gov/ and https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use.

Coryell Health has implemented the use of a remote monitoring system for patients that have been diagnosed or are suspected of having COVID-19. The remote monitoring program, SafetyNet, sends data back to medical providers through a digital sensor that attaches to the patient’s wrist. This new technology allows the patient to stay out of the hospital, while keeping their physician informed of their condition. By tracking vital information like blood oxygen level, breathing rates, and heartbeat, we can closely monitor patients 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week while they are recovering at home.

 

As one of the first healthcare systems in the state to launch the remote monitoring program, Dr. Jeffery Bates, MD, Coryell Health Chief Medical Officer stated, “The world around us is constantly changing, and we are having to find new ways to provide care to our patients and overcome hurdles created by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Coryell Health is proud to be one of the first to invest in technology that focuses on monitoring our patient’s safety from the comfort of their home while allowing them to maintain their freedom of movement.”

“We have heard stories of patients in other areas dying at home after taking a sudden turn without anyone there to call 911. We hope this technology will help us keep our patients out of that worst case scenario,” notes Paul Rambeau RRT-NPS, Coryell Health Cardiopulmonary Director. “If we see certain vitals move into dangerous territory, we can intervene and change the course of patient care, including calling 911 for them, if necessary.”

“In an effort to prevent the spread of the COVID virus, Masimo SafetyNet allows us to monitor our patients in the comfort of their own home.  Our Cardiopulmonary Team, however, is very excited about expanding this service line into our community beyond the current COVID crisis. Moving forward, this technology can be implemented in managing chronic illnesses that typically require frequent provider visits,” adds Rambeau.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the use of in-home monitoring, please call us at (254) 865-2166. Find out more about SafetyNet technology at https://www.mymasimo.com/.

Coryell Health is here and ready to continue caring for our patients, including follow-up appts., medication refills, acute and chronic conditions and resuming non-emergent surgeries. This includes diagnostic imaging and lab. Patients have the option of seeing a practitioner in person or through a telemedicine visit. Well exams that include immunizations will continue to take place. Please call our office to schedule an in-person or telemedicine appointment at (254) 865-2166. Our campus has put in place stringent measures to keep you safe from COVID-19. As far as we are aware, we currently do not have any hospital patients, staff members or residents sick with COVID-19. Stay safe and remember we are in this together!

#WhereYouAlwaysFeelAtHome #CentralTexasStrong

We have been closely monitoring the dynamic shifts of the COVID-19 pandemic in our community and have been working to prepare a thoughtful and measured approach to re-introduce non-COVID patient care services at Coryell Health. As far as we know, we do not currently have any staff, residents or hospital patients infected with COVID-19. We attribute this in part to the steadfast commitment of our staff in caring and serving our community.

COVID-19 will be part of our operating environment for the foreseeable future. Understanding this reality, we need to adapt so that we can function effectively in a world that is COVID-safe, as opposed to COVID-free. Therefore, we are actively adapting our systems and protocols to ensure that you, as well as our physicians and those we care for, are safe in that reality.

Maintaining Precautions

We have taken numerous actions to provide the safest possible environment for our employees, residents and patients in response to COVID-19. Our response plan has included multiple precautions, and it continues to evolve as the pandemic unfolds. These precautions, which remain in place throughout our organization to preserve a safe environment, include:

• Limited entrances/access into our hospitals and clinics
• Screening of our patients, physicians, and staff
• Visitor restrictions
• Management of supplies and PPE to appropriately protect our caregivers, residents and patients
• COVID testing all surgical patients prior to the day of their procedures
• Continued vehicle site testing of patients suspected of having Coronavirus
• Following all social distancing recommendations

We also continue to stress effective preventive measures such as good hand hygiene, frequent cleaning of all surfaces, and a mask for all employees and patients at all times.

Visitors

Visitor restrictions will remain in place for the time being to protect our employees, patients and resident population. Visitors will not be permitted in the facility unless they are the parent or guardian of a minor child, the caregiver or guardian of an incapacitated adult, or when death is imminent.

As we resume services, we will regularly evaluate our best practices to assess when and if procedural adjustments are necessary. Our willingness to adapt is a direct reflection of our commitment to providing the highest-caliber care. We value the confidence our community has in us, and we hold ourselves accountable to reinforcing that confidence in the days ahead.

– Coryell Health Administration

The latest news and how Coryell Health continues to evolves through this pandemic can be found at https://coryellhealth.org/press-releases/about-us/news/press-releases.

That’s right! During this time of social distancing, we are still encouraged to go outdoors and exercise. Earth Day isn’t the only reason we should tie up our tennis shoes. Feelings of stress and depression may be all too familiar to us all these days, but according to the CDC– regular exercise can help you and your family cope with anxiety and stress. There are a lot of other health benefits to walking regularly as well.

Some suggestions to build walking into your daily routine include:

• Take the stairs instead of elevators (for at least part of the way).
• Walk to and from work
• Walk or bike (don’t drive) to run errands
• Walk the dog (or your neighbor’s dog)
• Make it fun for everyone- check out these websites for engaging children in walking activities. Playdough on a tree? Absolutely!
  • https://www.howweelearn.com/earth-day-nature-walk-ideas-kids/
  • https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Getting-Children-Outside.aspx

Walking for 30 minutes a day

To get the health benefits, try to walk for at least 30 minutes as briskly as you can on most days of the week. ‘Brisk’ means that you can still talk but not sing, and you may be puffing slightly. Moderate activities such as walking pose little health risk, but if you have a medical condition, check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program of physical activity.  Regular brisk walking can help you:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
• Strengthen your bones and muscles
• Improve your mood
• Improve your balance and coordination

Building physical activity into your life

If it’s too difficult to walk for 30 minutes at one time, do regular small bouts (10 minutes) three times per day and gradually build up to longer sessions. However, if your goal is to lose weight, you will need to do physical activity for longer than 30 minutes each day. Physical activity built into a daily lifestyle plan is also one of the most effective ways to assist with weight loss and keep weight off once it’s lost.

So on this Earth Day, in the spirit of keeping things simple and meaningful, step outside.  Help you and your family stay healthy while exploring and discovering your next walking path.

Families are taking varying tacks to keep in contact with their loved ones, especially for individuals who live in long-term care or are in rehabilitation. RehabLiving at The Meadows and The Oaks are also helping to facilitate contact between residents and loved ones. Some options for keeping in touch, include the following:

• Phone calls. Phone calls are still an easy option to be able to talk to your loved one. Just hearing someone’s voice can be enough to lift both your spirits.
• Window visits. Families who are able to visit their loved one’s window can use that to have in-person visits. You can hold up signs and blow kisses. Talking on a cell phone or typing messages on it and holding them up to the closed window is a way to have a conversation.
• Facetime and Skype. Many nursing homes are facilitating video calls with families using platforms like Facetime or Skype. Coryell Health has purchased additional iPads so staff members can help residents from RehabLiving and The Oaks make contact with friends and family.
• Cards and letters. Sending cards and letters to your loved ones is another way to show them that you are thinking of them. Residents love to receive cards from anyone, it doesn’t have to be family members. Include photos or art work will help brighten the days of residents and bring back many fond memories.

In this unprecedented time, families need to get creative to stay in touch with their loved ones. Adjusting to the changes can be overwhelming, but as long as everyone keeps an open mind and uses the possible resources, everyone can feel loved and connected.

To schedule call with a loved one at RehabLiving call between 9am-5pm: (254) 404-2500

To mail a letter to RehabLiving: Coryell Health RehabLiving
Attn: (insert loved one’s name or label “any resident”)
110 Chicktown Rd., Gatesville, TX 76528
To schedule call with a loved one at Assisted or Independent Living at the Oaks call: (254) 216-1608
To mail a letter to AL/IL at the Oaks: Coryell Health The Oaks
Attn: (insert loved one’s name or label “any resident”)
1507 West Main St., Gatesville, TX 76528