YSU’s Dr. Tyus: Focused on Keeping Mind, Body, Spirit Alive

Dr. Jeff Tyus, a professor of communications at Youngstown State University, is hanging tough. You can learn more about him at his bio page.

What are some ways the COVID-19 outbreak has changed your work life?

It has changed my work life in many ways. I miss actually going into the office. I generally averaged three to four days in the office, so I miss those interactions with students and colleagues. Believe it or not, transitioning to online teaching was relatively easy for me because I have taught a variety of online courses over the past eight to nine years. In many ways, it feels good waking up and staying in athletic gear all day long. I haven’t had to put on work clothes since YSU has been on lockdown. One final thing I notice is that I am eating better, especially breakfast. Too often I was eating while driving into work, and now I can actually sit down and relax before engaging in work-related activities.

How about your personal life?

There are some things in my personal life that really haven’t changed. I am still working out, though from home and not the gym. I still walk the dog twice a day. I still communicate with family and friends on a regular basis. Maybe a few changes are I help coordinate and host our church services using Zoom every Sunday and I miss getting together with friends to grab a meal or play racquetball together. Typically, I am too busy to even take time for myself, and yet, I am doing things nowadays like watching movies and remodeling the house. Finally, this was the first time I was unable to hug my mom on Mother’s Day because she has the “triple threat”–she’s African-American, over 65 years of age, with pre-existing medical conditions. Those are the primary changes to my personal life.

What steps are you taking to hang tough?

I was already a tough guy, so hanging tough is in my blood! 🙂 I am really trying to take everything in stride and be as positive about this “new normal” as possible. This summer is going to test my toughness because I am used to being out and about, traveling, sitting on patios with friends, attending sporting events, etc… so recognizing that these things won’t happen this year is unsettling. So I am trying to focus on other things to keep my mind, body and spirit active and alive.

What advice are you sharing with the people you love?

I try to encourage the people I love to stay vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves from the virus. I have had a few distant family members who have had the virus and friends who have died from the virus and it is nothing to take lightly. I encourage my parents to continue to walk three miles a day. I take them food once or twice a week just to check in with them and make sure they are OK. Finally, I encourage everyone to find things in their lives that make them happy and engage with them whenever they can. Whether it be watching comedies that make them laugh or spending time with spouses, children and/or animals, they should take the time to engage whenever they can and that will help to keep their minds off the gloom and doom of the virus that we are confronted with on a daily basis.