Have you wondered why everybody is looking for tips to stay sane during this difficult time?
Because being home, working from home, and not going out is difficult for such a long time. To be motivated and manage on earth, people are searching for tips and tricks to lower the stress levels.
Social distancing is quite hard for people staying away from their loved ones. And, the uncertain feeling in the lockdown is killing everyone. A quick surge has been seen in the stress, anxiety, and sadness of the patients. Social distancing has completely disrupted the usual social support structures of our lives. People are bored and lonely in isolation. They are distressed after losing their routines.
It’s a familiar story and it is going like this for more than two months. Admit it.
Deep down we know it’ll be tough to cope with the same routine when everything comes back to normal. To keep anxiety in control during this time, you should establish a routine.
Fix a time to wake up, exercise, shower, work, lunch, coffee, and breaks. All these small steps contribute to how you feel while working from home for the coming months. It is quite important to maintain social distancing to keep our communities safe and the economy going.
Setting new routines
Staying in the bed for late is tempting, but it adds to our psychological and immune stress. A consistent sleep schedule keeps you going with the same energy without blurring the difference between weekdays and weekends. Several people have developed alternative methods to carry out everyday functions. Sticking to them makes you feel normal. There will be a sense of normalcy when you set a routine. A fixed wake up and bedtime is a wise way to reap numerous benefits of sleep.
Stay active
It is the best time to take that Zumba class from home. Aerobic exercise will keep you high on energy and on the road to fitness. Even by using furniture, there are several videos streaming to do yoga, dance, or any other activity that is in your mind.
Trying something new is as effective as an antidepressant. So, try baking, painting, or any other activity you find engaging.
Breathing Exercises
Trying some breathing exercises in a comfortable position in these crises. Regular practice would turn them to your second nature and works to control anxiety and stress levels. To keep the momentum, focus on the timing of the breathing, and try to match the timing of inhaling and exhaling.
Walk
If you’re completely fine, take a walk in the neighborhood park for fresh air. A brisk walk will do wonders for your mental and physical health. It is a deep relaxation technique to lift your mood and improve health. Stay safe while taking a walk or going for a run as this virus is airborne. Maintain a two-meter distance to stay away from smaller aerosolized droplets. Wear a face mask, scarf, or a neck tube as a barrier from passing people.
Family time
It is time to spend time with family to stay away from a potential mental health crisis that has come with the pandemic. The consequences of being unemployed can be easily dealt with when all the members are together. The whole family can watch a movie or everyone can teach something to each other that they never got time to. Planning out different roles or a small game of cards will make dealing with crises quite easy. It is an opportunity to improve family ties and rekindle the bond that was lost working for long shifts.
Good diet
A good diet pattern can ensure no sickness in this pandemic. A good intake of fruits and vegetables work as a pill to keep you energetic throughout the day. Eating unprocessed food will get you enough nutrition with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Even for snacks, eat raw vegetables and fruits rather than snacking on food rich in salt and sugar.
Always wash your hands with soap water for 20 seconds before preparing or cutting food. General food safety measures with well-balanced meals can help in staying healthy during COVID-19. Preparing, storing, or consuming foods should be done following special precautions.
Talk to friends and colleagues
There are a number of ways to socially meet rather than just socializing which could potentially spread the virus. The coffee date on video chat with friends or family can be a good interaction. Virtual dinners are a good way to interact with people who are more vulnerable to stress during this rough time. Staying connected is the best way to maintain good mental health.
Limit exposure to screen
Zoom, binge-watching Netflix, or news should be watched for a few hours. A surge in the screen time after social distancing affects our bodies. Working-from-home has increased the screen time, but taking frequent breaks and finishing on time is the solution to it.
The blue light of the screens suppresses the natural production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for making our body sleep. Excessive screen time leads to persistent headaches, mood swings, and affects our eyes. It reduces motivation and concentration overtime leading to stress-related fatigue.
Sleep
A fixed waking up and sleeping time is key to good health. A daytime exercise and a non-electronic relaxing evening make your sleep better. Enough shut-eye benefits the immune system largely. It helps in beating stress, depression, and anxiety. Social distancing, school closures, working-from-home has made profound changes in everybody’s lives, leaving us enough time for a good sleep.
Think positive
We are going through an unprecedented time, we should not think that control is lost. To begin with, maintain internal emotional balance shifting your focus on resolving the current situation and seeing brightness when everything will be fine. Thinking positive does not mean ignoring the current situation, but it’s just putting more attention and focus on good news. Don’t forget a positive mindset can change your outlook towards everything merely in a few seconds. It is not in our hands to control the external factors, but each positive thought can change our perception.
Conclusion
COVID-19 has brought the world into uncharted waters, taking some simple steps can help us in maintaining good mental health. Preexisting conditions, spur worries about their health and safety, but follow only evidence-based information and trusted information to avoid coronavirus myths and be safe.
