I choose hope.
Dizziness, sweating, trembling, nausea, sleep disturbances, restlessness, headaches and increased heart rate – are these the signs of the Coronavirus or anxiety?
If you are feeling tension, worry and concern for you and your family’s physical, emotional, financial and mental wellbeing, you are not alone. Together, we can help each other, even though we are warned to perform social distancing because of this Coronavirus. As a healthcare professional/lifestyle educator, I am reaching out in the hopes of enlightening you.
When this quarantine began, I was deployed to the frontlines screening patients at the entrance of medical and hospital centers. I have witnessed sick patients and expectant mothers gathered together at the entrance of wellness establishments to see their doctors. We need to flatten the curve of this virus and use common sense.
During this pandemic, if you don’t have a life-threatening situation, it is my suggestion to make telephone appointments with your doctor instead of taking trips to your hospital or medical center. This is for your safety and for the safety of others.
At this crucial time, I have come in contact with sick patients who had all the Coronavirus symptoms and were out of the country during the outbreak. For that reason, as well as my being sixty-eight years old and feeling ill, I was informed that I should get my doctor’s evaluation over the phone. My doctor advised that I be tested and to isolate myself from others until I receive the test results. This is a precautionary measure to make sure that those in healthcare, with symptoms, are indeed healthy and not hosting the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus. Luckily, my test was negative. Positive news for me!
The threat of this virus is bad, no doubt, but research shows that fearfully stressing over this situation can cause physical symptoms of dizziness, sweating, trembling, nausea, sleep disturbances, restlessness, headaches and increased heart rate. Before these symptoms become problematic, you may prevent and get rid of quarantine anxiety through exercise practices.
Study after study, shows that exercise reduces anxiety and contributes to a better quality of life. This is true of all types of fitness forms whether it be Aerobic Dance, Tai Chi, Pilates, Yoga, Circuit Training or moderate intensity resistance exercises. It’s interesting to note, from research, that resistance exercise of higher intensity can increase stress and overburden your muscles. So, keep your fitness movements in a positive direction with no painful repercussions.
Being a naturally expressive, emotional person and a fitness therapist, I know that exercise, along with deep breathing, prayer and meditation works! Every day I do some kind of exercise because I feel the difference in my disposition and vitality. When I feel under the weather, I also try to get more rest and sleep, Relax-n-Renew, while continuing my regiment of consuming wholesome vitamin fueled foods and beverages.
In the midst of all this turmoil and safeguards make sure to release stress. Put on some music and dance to shake out tension. It feels good! I know it.
When the threat of Quarantine first hit the media and all my fitness classes that I taught were cancelled, I began to get anxious. So, my daughter, Marianna played the song, “I like to move it” and I began to move. After just a few seconds of fun dance therapy, I felt better!
On our YouTube channel, Feel Fit Freedom, you’ll see a variety of short, fun exercise videos by certified fitness instructors: my daughter, Marianna Riccio; my sister, Linda Eichberg and yours truly.
NEW!!! Renew Your Power – with Maria Lauren for safe and effective exercise videos of Yoga, Tai Chi, Dance grooves, and Pilates!
Exercise treats your mind as well as your body. Try moving and grooving to your favorite song. I bet you’ll feel a weight lifted off your shoulders.
I hope you try it and leave me a comment about how you feel.
Stay well and safe,
Maria Lauren, aka MariaElena Alberici
Your Powerful Life, blog
Info/research: Emotions in Motion, Exercise as an Anxiety Intervention
Your Powerful Life blog is produced in my own time and solely reflects my personal opinions. Statements on this site do not represent the views or policies of my employer, past or present, or any other organization with which I may be affiliated.
YourPowerfulLIFE Blog 
Yes, we like to ‘move it’. Definitely helps anxiety!
We move it, cause we don’t want to lose it!! Thanks sister for helping me to find it, if I do!