PENNSAUKEN, N.J.—Continuing with its series on tips for adult retailers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams Trading Co. shares some quick and helpful tips on its official blog to help deal with depression and anxiety during the crisis.
Having killed more than 105,000 Americans to date and wreaking havoc on the country’s economy, the COVID-19 pandemic is also taking its toll on mental health. According to new data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately one-third of U.S. adults have symptoms of depression or anxiety, a sharp increase over the results of a comparable survey conducted in the first half of 2019.
Williams Trading Co. offers the following tips:
• Turn off the News and TV and Take a Break—Give yourself a respite from watching, reading or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. Taking care of yourself and speaking with your family and friends can help you to cope with stress.
• Connect with others in the Adult Industry and Join the Pleasure Professional Place Group—Members of the adult industry recently started Facebook groups to keep connected, among which is Pleasure Professional Place. An ideal way to stay connected and in touch with the industry and its professionals, the group can be found here.
• Celebrate the Positive with New Store Openings—If you are an adult store operator, celebrate the positive with your recent store opening. Many areas including Florida, Texas and California continue to open. New Jersey has announced that non-essential retail businesses can reopen on June 15. Many adult operators are practicing curbside pickup for new orders.
• Support your loved ones—Check-in with them often. Virtual communication can help you and your loved ones feel less lonely and isolated. Consider connecting with loved ones by telephone, e-mail, text messages, video chat and even social media.
The Centers for Disease Control offers specific guidelines for dealing with stress which include the following:
• Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate.
• Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
• Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs. Make time to unwind.
• Try to do some other activities you enjoy. Connect with others.
• Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
• Start a new exercise routine.
Those feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or who feel like they want to harm themselves or others, are encouraged to call 911, visit the Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Those experiencing domestic violence my call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.
To learn more, visit WilliamsTradingBlog.com.
For more information about Williams Trading Co, visit www.WilliamsTradingCo.com.
