From http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/blog/individuals/mental-health-coronavirus-covid-19-kids-family-self-care-coping/

As the days turn into weeks, the mental health effects stemming from the coronavirus outbreak and social distancing are starting to be felt more acutely by the entire family – especially children. There are tools you can use to help support your child’s mental health during this stressful and uncertain time.

Remember: Managing your child’s mental health starts with you. Be sure you are modeling good self-care behaviors and staying mentally healthy by maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating nutritious foods and getting daily exercise. 

Next, how can we help our kids? Here are five self-care habits to encourage during this time:

1. Keep a journal

This unprecedented situation may have children may be experiencing new feelings, such as fear, anxiety, uncertainty or frustration. Remind your child it is OK to feel this way. Start each day with a few minutes to acknowledge and reflect on your feelings. End the day by jotting down (or sharing aloud) three things you are grateful for. In a time where it can be very easy to focus on what we DON’T have (freedom to play with friends) it is useful to shift our mindset to what we DO have (toys and games to play with).

2. Schedule quiet time

More time at home probably means more time spent in front of a screen, whether its TV and video games or virtual schoolwork. Give their brains a break and schedule some quiet time into their day to let their minds reset and recharge. (Time alone also gives parents a break to do the same!) Give them the freedom to choose how they’d like to spend it, maybe doing a puzzle, building LEGO creations, reading a book, or coloring. We suggest the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! coloring pages and activity sheets!

3. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness means to become more aware or present in the current moment. Practicing mindfulness gives kids (and adults) the tools to better focus, regulate their emotions and manage stress. Try these free, online resources that will guide your kids through various mindfulness activities, including movement and breath:

• Cosmic Kids Yoga (movement and breathing exercises)
• Fablefy (meditation and breathing exercises) 

4. Come up with creative solutions

Many kids are struggling with situations out of their control causing them to feel overwhelmed. They cannot see their friends. They cannot go to school. They cannot do their regular extracurricular activities. Tackle one problem at a time and come up with creative solutions to help your child feel more in control and at ease. Here’s an example:

Problem: Your child’s basketball camp was cancelled.

Creative solutions:

• Practice drills at home together as a family.
• Set goals for certain skills and work to accomplish them.
• Send videos of your skills to a coach or mentor and ask for feedback.
• Watch old March Madness games online and critique the plays.
• Set up a Face Time call with friends from basketball team.

5. Healthy body = healthy mind!

When you exercise your body releases natural mood boosters called endorphins. Try one of our favorite ways to exercise at home or simply take a family walk outside. Fresh air increases your energy levels and has been shown to help ward off depression. You also need to fuel your body correctly! Fruits and vegetables support growth, development and optimal immune function in children. At meal times, try to fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. Try one of these kid-friendly and healthy lunch ideas!

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5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! 

5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is a health-focused movement for kids that’s under the nationally recognized program, 5-2-1-0. It all starts by encouraging them to eat and play the right way.

This proven, scientific method helps keep kids healthy by focusing on the importance of four habits:

• 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables
• 2 hours or less of screen time (television, computer, video games, phones, etc.)
• 1 hour or more of physical activity
• 0 (or reduce) sugar-sweetened beverages – drink more water!

To access more free resources that support healthy habits, click here.

It’s a real different time that we are in with health and health care. In my lifetime I have not witnessed a health crisis that compares to our environment today. It’s never been more important to take every precaution that we are advised to follow and to maintain your health care coverage. I am going to share some valuable and creditable resources for you on my website and through my weekly blogs.

Small business owners came to me immediately. I have many friends and clients that own small businesses and employ some loyal employees. Some have been shut down to try to protect themselves and their customers. During this time of closure, some arrangement must be made to  maintain health insurance. This could be an arrangement between the employer and the employee to keep that existing insurance in place. This could be a marketplace individual policy or a short term plan to bridge a gap between this life-altering event and resuming business as usual as we know it. I am here to help you.

Let me explain the options in the individual market. If you want to explore the marketplace options we can accomplish this together online. A broker-assisted application is highly recommended so that you minimize the possibility of providing information that will result in a large penalty or a subsidy that you will have to return. There will be over a dozen options for plan designs and premiums with Medica and Wellmark. Together, we choose the plan that best suits your family’s needs and budget. Enrollment from there is easy and I’m happy to assist.

If you want a short term plan, intended to bridge a gap, they provide up to 36 months coverage. These plans do have health questions and are not guaranteed issue but are great options to consider. Again, we can offer benefit choices and tailor this to your family’s needs. This is completed online and over the phone.

We can take care of all of your needs over the phone and the internet. This will help with time management and be compliant with the requests of the authorities and health care providers in
not exposing each other.

I am sharing some links to helpful information for your reference concerning the COVID-19:

The Healthiest State Initiatives
info@iowahealthieststate.com This provides information that can be used personally to educate yourself on COVID-19.

Davis Brown Law Firm
https://www.davisbrownlaw.com/coronavirus-resources.aspx The article that Davis Brown made available is an excellent source for individuals and businesses.

Telehealth
During the Coronavirus pandemic, telemedicine can increase access to health care at a time when many patients, like older adults, are being advised to stay home. Keeping potentially infected people out of crowded waiting rooms and away from health care providers such as doctors, nurses, physician assistants and others can reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 further.

This week, the Trump administration announced expanded Medicare telehealth coverage to allow beneficiaries to receive a wider range of health care services without the need to travel to a health facility. Clinicians will be reimbursed for providing telehealth services to beneficiaries throughout the U.S.

There are limits to telemedicine. In emergencies such as severe injuries or if you have shortness of breath or experience chest pain or pressure, or when a hands-on physical exam or procedure is
necessary, patients will still need to receive in-person care.

Wellmark members now have $0 cost share from home. Until June 16, 2020, Wellmark will cover the member cost share for all virtual visits with your personal doctor and other in-network providers. You and your covered dependents can get medical and behavioral health care at home at no cost to you with phone or video visits. Please visit DoctorOnDemand.com for instructions.

We also have a treasure in our community with Dr. Jon Van Der Veer at ExemplarCare – https://www.exemplar.care – Please check out his website to learn more about him and the services that he can offer. I feel that his services are a perfect fit for someone who understands the benefits of a HDHP (high deductible health plan). The first several thousand dollars are yours to pay before you have met your maximum out of pocket expenses. He can provide quality, one-on-one medical advice and care at an affordable price. When you are paying your own out-of-pocket expenses, you become a better consumer and can price shop things such as MRIs, etc.Check him out. This is not a recommendation that you forego health insurance, but this is a way for you to maximize your dollars
and your time.

We are all in this pandemic together – follow the advice of our leaders – stay safe and healthy. We are here to help you in any way that we can. Please continue to check out my website at Searsinsurance.info for my newsletter and blogs. Our Facebook page – Sears Insurance – will have more frequent postings that we feel you will benefit from reading. We appreciate your business – call us if we can help.

On March 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into law a $2 trillion bipartisan package called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or ‘‘CARES Act.” The act is designed to inject stimulus into the economy and provide relief to individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The legislation includes new and expanded loan programs, unemployment insurance benefits, tax relief and many other provisions. It also includes:
• $100 billion to support health care providers and hospitals.
• $27 billion to develop vaccines and purchase critical health care supplies.
• $45 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund.

Overview of some of the legislation’s key elements:

Establishment of the Paycheck Protection Program (Sec. 1102): Provides nearly $350 billion in low interest small business loans designed to encourage job retention. Loans can be made for up to $10 million and a portion of the loan may be forgiven if the small businesses (businesses with up to 500 employees) retain workers and use funds for payroll—including payment of health care premiums, utilities, and mortgage/rent payments.

This provision may help with employee group health premiums.

Expanded unemployment benefits (Sec. 2104, 2105, 3605): Broader access and increasing unemployment benefits in anticipation of vastly more job losses. In addition the legislation expands the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for businesses with up to 500 employees.

Business tax provisions (Sec. 2302): A payroll tax credit of 50% for wages paid during the COVID-19 crisis while delaying payment of payroll taxes.

Relief for distressed industries (Sec. 5001): In addition to providing relief for the airline, air cargo and national security industries, the legislation creates a $500 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide financial support to other struggling industries.