Pandemic and Its Consequences on Mental Health – 6 Selfcare Tips
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| Image by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay |
The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus all around the world has drastically impacted individual life. In-person education transition to virtual, closure of restaurants, and lockdown series has affected every individual more than one way. Although it's been a year, still the virus is to stay here for quite some time.
There is no denying that the pandemic situation has made everything upside down. Chances are you might be feeling overwhelmed or stressed out with the whole situation. However, you are not alone, as most people globally are experiencing the same emotions. For this reason, taking care of mental and physical health has become vital now more than ever for every individual. So, go easy on yourself and adopt these eight self-care tips during COVID-19 to improve your overall wellness:
1. ADDRESS YOUR EMOTIONS & BE KIND
It is okay to feel upset and vulnerable during this time; however, pestering and blaming yourself will get you nowhere. Instead, it would help if you address these emotions. Try to remain optimistic and beat the negativities in your mind. Remember, there are things in life that aren't in your control, and there is nothing you can do about it.
If it's getting all too much for you, you can go for clinical mental health counseling and express your concerns. Rather than bottling up these feelings, speaking out loud will put you at ease. The counselor can help you distress and provide necessary treatment.
Apart from this, don't forget to be kind and spread positivity among people during this rough patch of lives. Look out for people that live alone and ensure their well-being by keeping social-distancing protocol in mind.
2. GET QUALITY SLEEP
Your self-care is incomplete if you are neglecting sleep. Not getting enough sleep can get you more frustrated and cranky. It may also slow down your routine activities since you might feel sluggish to do anything. Adequate sleep can keep your mind sharp and help you keep your emotions in check.
Since the pandemic has changed every individual's routine life, it might tempt you to stay awake a bit longer at night. Your reason to stay awake at night might include watching a movie, playing a game, or scrolling through different social media websites. Whatever the reason might be, it is essential to get eight hours of quality sleep every night to prepare yourself for the next day.
3. FUEL YOUR BODY WITH HEALTHY FOOD
Every individual has different reactions in stressful times when it comes to food. Some may start overeating, while others completely lose their appetite. It may sound challenging to maintain healthy eating habits during the ongoing pandemic. However, doing so can give you the energy you require to go through these challenging times. Eating a balanced meal can help you improve your emotional and physical well-being. Eating healthy can help you avoid catching this deadly virus and support your immune system even if you fall sick. Moreover, limit caffeine and alcohol intake to keep yourself healthy.
4. LIMIT YOURSELF TO AUTHENTIC NEWS ONLY
While it is crucial to stay abreast about the current news of covid-19, listening to the news 24/7 can get a bit too overwhelming. Not to forget how the rumors can spread in a matter of seconds through social media. It can increase the levels of stress and cause anxiety to build up. Therefore, make sure you limit such platforms' usage and rely on authentic sources of news only.
Take out some time from your daily routine and indulge in fun activities. This way, you can take a break and detach yourself from ongoing tension. Watch a Netflix movie that you have been planning to see, try out a new recipe, or any other activity that keeps you engaged.
5. STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR LOVED ONES
The covid-19 restrictions necessitate maintaining social distancing physically, but you can virtually remain connected with your friends and family. Times like these call for attention, and we crave the company of closed ones. Choose any medium, be it audio calls, videos, or messages, to keep in touch with your loved ones.
You can voice out your worries to the people you trust the most. However, try not to make it a one-sided conversation only. Listen intently to others too; maybe you can be of some help to them.
6. KEEP YOUR BODY ACTIVE
Are you spending most of your time lounging on the couch and watching movies? If yes, you should stop this routine while you are practicing self-care. So take some time out from your everyday routine for exercising to reduce your stress level and improve sleep quality. Try walking at least 10 to 15 minutes per day or jogging to keep yourself fit. You might not be able to go to the gym, no worries.
Various online home workouts can help you improve your mental and physical health. However, be mindful don't overdo your exercises. Intense workouts can cause damage to your brain or body.
CONCLUSION
Who would have ever thought that the whole world would come to a screeching halt? Undoubtedly, this is a challenging time for all of us, taking a toll on mental health. Keeping your mind sane while living a quarantined life is a great deal. However, with the self-care tips, you can cope with the ongoing pandemic situation. Collectively, we can save ourselves and everyone around us from this deadly virus.
