VA Stress Center

General guidance 

Guidance for Healthcare Professionals 

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Keep Yourself Healthy

• Eat healthy foods, and drink water. 

• Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol. 

• Do not use tobacco or illegal drugs. 

• Get enough sleep and rest. 

• Get physical exercise. 

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Use Practical Ways to Relax

• Relax your body often by doing things that work for you—take deep breaths, stretch, meditate, wash your face and hands, or engage in pleasurable hobbies. 

• Pace yourself between stressful activities and do a fun thing after a hard task. 

• Use time off to relax—eat a good meal, read, listen to music, take a bath, or talk to family. 

• Talk about your feelings to loved ones and friends often. 

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Pay Attention to Your Body, Feelings, and Spirit​

• Recognize and heed early warning signs of stress. 

• Recognize how your own past experiences affect your way of thinking and feeling about this event, and think of how you handled your thoughts, emotions, and behavior around past events. 

• Know that feeling stressed, depressed, guilty, or angry is common after an event like an infectious disease outbreak, even when it does not directly threaten you. 

• Connect with others who may be experiencing stress about the outbreak. Talk about your feelings about the outbreak, share reliable health information, and enjoy conversation unrelated to the outbreak, to remind yourself of the many important and positive things in your lives. 

• Take time to renew your spirit through meditation, prayer, or helping others in need. 

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If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself, reach out for help.• 

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 

• Hamilton County: Call (513) 281-CARE (2273) or text Talbert to 839863 

If it is not yet a crisis but you need someone to talk to call the WARM line: (513) 931-9276 

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Phone Apps for Anxiety and Stress

• What’s Up? • Headspace • Calm • Virtual Hope Box • SAM 

• SuperBetter (involves games that can be a good distraction) 

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For Children

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Last updated 11/25/2020