Q&A: Depression & COVID-19; Exercises Easy on Joints

Q: I’m typically a glass-half-full kind of person, but 2020 and COVID-19 have shaken my optimism. I feel worried and sad almost all of the time. Is this depression?

A: Fear and anxiety about a new disease can be overwhelming, and public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely, and can increase stress and anxiety. Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can cause some of the following:

• Fear and worry about your health and the health of your family.
• Anxiety about your financial situation or your source of income.
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
• Worsening of chronic health problems.

Different Types of Depression. There are several different types of depression, including situational and clinical depression. Situational depression is typically temporary and can be brought on by an event such as loss of a loved one. Clinical depression is complex and can arise for numerous reasons, including genetic vulnerability, severe life stressors, and medical conditions that affect the way your brain regulates your moods.

You may be depressed if, for more than two weeks, you’ve experienced several of the following symptoms:

• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism.
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness.
• Irritability and restlessness.
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable.
• Fatigue and decreased energy.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions.

Find a Therapist. Talking to a mental health professional can help. To schedule a face‑to-face or telemedicine appointment, contact your insurance provider or follow this link https://bit.ly/34fmRyD to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s Find a Therapist web page.

Q: I have osteoarthritis in my hip, so swimming is my exercise of choice, but my gym pool is closed until further notice because of COVID-19.  What kind of exercises can I do that will be easy on my joints?

A: Good for you for recognizing the importance of keeping moving. If you don’t exercise, your muscles will get weaker, your arthritis symptoms will worsen, and you will lose vital strength and mobility. Walking, yoga and tai chi are three activity options that won’t stress your joints, don’t require a pool, and can be done at home or close to home.

Walking. You may worry that walking will cause your arthritic hip to deteriorate faster, but research suggests you can walk for at least 10,000 steps each day without doing additional damage to your arthritic hip joint. If you want some ”virtual” company or need support or direction, follow this link https://bit.ly/30ieJfG to learn about the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease program.

Yoga. People with arthritis who practice yoga regularly can reduce joint pain, improve joint flexibility and function, and lower stress and tension. Iyengar yoga is often recommended to people who have arthritis because it can be adapted for limited mobility. Assistive props, such as ropes and foam blocks, can be used during challenging poses. For example, if you have a hard time bending over and touching your toes, you can place a foam block on the floor and reach for that instead. Floor stretches are another great way to gain the benefits of yoga without inflicting undue stress on your joints. Follow this link
https://bit.ly/36jUty4 to learn how to do a dynamic reclined hip stretch sequence that can help you gently release tension around your hip joint and hamstrings.

Tai chi. With its gentle, fluid movements, tai chi is gaining popularity as a way to fight off arthritis pain and increase flexibility and strength without straining joints. Recent studies have found that the slow, graceful exercise, which originated centuries ago as a martial art, can improve balance, reduce stress and offer pain relief. For more info, follow this link https://bit.ly/3ikGudL to watch—or participate in—a tutorial on tai chi stretches for arthritis.

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