Helpful Updates & Resources Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Northwest Ventura County is Here in Your Community & Here to Help!

1. Update on taxes: Tax Day is now July 15, 2020.

 Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has announced that the government is, "moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties."

2. Update on Student loan payments are extended for 60 days

The Department of Education announced that student loan borrowers will be able to suspend their federal student loan payments without a penalty and without accruing interest for at least 60 days.

3. Resources if you lose your job as result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

If your work has been compromised or you think it may be, read here. & please share with anyone who could use this information. Thank you for helping us help one another. 

4. Check in with your overall health & wellness.

If you’re able to over the next few days, check out these resources for looking after your overall wellness. Bring your stress level down with these simple steps:

Stay positive. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase "good" HDL cholesterol.

Meditate. This practice of inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. Meditation's close relatives, yoga and prayer, can also relax the mind and body.

Exercise. Every time you are physically active, whether you take a walk or go for a jog, your body releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercising not only helps you destress, it also protects against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle, and helping you maintain a healthy weight.

Unplug. It's impossible to escape stress when it follows you everywhere. Cut the cord. Avoid the internet and TV news. Take time each day — even if it's for just 10 or 15 minutes — to escape from the world.

Find ways to destress. Simple things, like a warm bath, listening to music, or spending time on a favorite hobby, can give you a much-needed break from the stressors in your life.

Therapy or coaching can help provide clarity. Find affordable online mental health resources.

Escape. Here are some free virtual getaways.

• The Musée d’ Orsay
• National Portrait Gallery
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• The Houston Zoo lets you peek in on their elephant yard from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST. At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the giant panda and lion cams are live 24 hours a day.

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” — Nelson Mandela