December 2, 2020 Issue, Page 6 of 10

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December 2, 2020 nN," t Photos courtesy of Getty Images FAMILY FEATURES Seek out tools to help you unwind. If you've never given much tress and anxiety are all too familiar to many Americans, this year especially, and the added pressure of the holiday thought to managing your mental health, you may not know where to begin practicing better self-care, and that’s OK. That’s where Keeping Spirits High While Dating season may provide a new set of challenges. Practicing self- you can benefit from resources like those available through Plenty care and nurturing your mental health can help you navigate of Fish. Knowing the toll the pandemic is taking on singles, the During the Holidays these potentially isolating times, especially if you're tackling this dating app partnered with Shine, a leading self-care app, to create season single. two free dating-related meditations developed to help singles better With so many other demands in life, taking care of yourself, manage anxiety and improve mental health and wellness. including your emotional and mental well-being, may not always Navigating dating, work and your personal life can feel like an be at the top of your list. However, putting more emphasis on intense juggling act. To help find balance and feel less pressure, yourself and your needs can be achieved in small, measurable GO% cwpetenced teste of ansiaty before ‘ways and may not only help boost your spirits but can affect your meditationlistening consider to the “Balance Dating While Busy” guided and reflect on your energy and priorities so you can fo. going on a date approach to dating, too. “We believe happy and healthy relationships start with happy make space for dating in your life. GO), cancelesa date stiersenxety and healthy individuals,” said Stefan Harvalias, head of global Although dating may look and feel different right now, it’s fo} marketing for Plenty of Fish, one ofthe largest global online still doable. Shift your mindset and reflect on ways to adapt dating companies. with an option like the “Navigate Dating During COVID” amar 44%O/ ate anxious about : their dates not Harvalias points out there are a number of ways you can alleviate guided meditation. wearing masks stress and anxiety. While there’s no one magic formula that fits all, Recognize the role of physical wellness, The mind and body are many people find coping easier with activities like these. intrinsically connected, and how you take care of your body can Listen to music. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits have an impact on your mental state. This includes eating well to To combat these feelings of anxiety and stress, of music in managing mental health. Slow, mellow music can ensure you're getting proper nutrition, which can positively impact many singles have turned to self-care: help the mind shift into a lower gear and has even been shown. your mood. Additionally, exercise releases feel-good hormones, so to influence the body’s physical state such as reducing blood a quick walk around the block or a 10-minute exercise video can pressure, pulse and heart rates. For someone with anxiety, music benefit you both physically and mentally. can be a welcome distraction from the troublesome thoughts Give yourself permission to disconnect, When life feels uncertain, BB% mrasticgsat-exre occupying the mind, For others, music is simply a way to escape 0 regularly from reality and focus on something enjoyable. being closely tied to an information source like your smartphone can give you a sense of security, but it can also add to your everyday Talk with friends and family. Although COVID-19 may be stress. If you're working from home, you may find you never fully 87% say self-care activities creating physical distance, there’s one way it can bring people shift out of work mode. However, it’s easy to become addicted to /o reduce stress 50% meditate together: by acknowledging your shared stress to one another. refreshing your newsfeed, allowing your devices to cut into time While the impacts of the pandemic vary greatly, everyone has you could spend more productively. Limit your screen time to TRA, salies stesesanera been navigating uncertainty and change that comes with such force yourself to focus on the present and activities that bring 0 self-care routine a widespread event. A weekly check-in call or video chat with » you pieasure while allowing your brain to rest, like spending time friends and family members can help you fee! less alone with with loved ones or enjoying a good book or movie. your feelings and experiences. Topics like mental health and Read more about coping with dating mindfulness have risen to the surface ofeveryday discussions, Find more resources to support your mental health and dating anxiety on blog.pof.com removing a lot of the stigma they once had. experiences this holiday season at blog.pof.com. NW Keep COVID from Crushing Your Dating Game As if single life and dating didn’t bring enough uncertainty on their own, a global health crisis has only heightened the anxiety many singles feel. Dating pressures and anxiety tied to COVID- 19 were the subjects of a study by Plenty of Fish, which showed just how challenging dating has been for singles this year. According to the survey of singles: = 60% have experienced feelings of anxiety before going on a date = 29% have canceled a date due to anxiety = 44% are anxious about their date not wearing a mask ‘When it comes to the benefits of self-care, a majority of surveyed singles reported: 1 66% practice self-care regularly 87% said self-care activities reduce stress = 78% said they fel less stressed after a self-care routine 1 50% meditate ™ Alone time, exercise and pampering were listed as the top self-care activities “Prioritizing your mental health matters more than ever,” Harvalias said. “Self-care and wellness mean something different to everyone — all that matters is that you find an outlet to disconnect and do what makes you happy.”