If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, and down during this pandemic, you’re not alone. Due to the Covid-19 situation, most of us struggle to get by day-to-day and adapt to the new normal. We usually do pre-pandemic things, like going out and catching up with friends, now seem to like too much of a risk or a hassle.
The work, errands, and activities that need to be done daily now seem to cause more pressure than usual and can sometimes be too much to handle. Even the simple act of getting out of bed is becoming a struggle for most of us. There is a definitive challenge brought about by the changes due to the current situation. With that being said, it’s essential now more than ever that we shift our focus more on our mental and physical health. Despite these uncertain times, the right mindset and a great routine set us up for success.
Get adequate rest
When it comes to your mental and physical health, you should never underestimate the importance of sleep and rest. While it seems like lockdown would provide us with more opportunities to rest, isolation can lead to cases of restlessness and insomnia. When you’re constantly sleep-deprived, this affects your overall health and aspects like your energy levels, mood, productivity, and concentration.
Especially when you have a lot of things to accomplish for the day, lack of sleep is the worst thing that could happen. It’s ideal for getting an average of at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night to take care of your well-being better. In addition, this doesn’t just go for your sleep at night but taking breaks between work tasks well. It’s detrimental for your health when all you do is work without taking short breaks in between, which leads to emotional and mental burnout.
Stay connected
It’s crucial to stay connected with your friends and family during the pandemic in any way you can. Even if you’re practicing social distancing and staying at home, you can still socialize and stay connected with your loved ones. We currently live in a digital era, which means you can use aspects like social media, video calls, and text messages to your advantage nowadays.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed with solitude and isolation, you could always call a friend or family and catch up. Having any form of socialization is highly essential for your mental and physical health, given that we’re social individuals by nature. In fact, you can even use dating apps nowadays if you want to expand your horizons and meet new people. It’s no surprise that the pandemic is even more challenging for extroverts, so to maintain your physical and mental health, you should take advantage of apps and platforms that help you connect with people.
Practice meditation
When drastic changes keep overwhelming us to the point where we feel out of balance, meditation can significantly help. It might sound not very interesting, but it’s an effective breathing practice that encourages you to be more self-aware of your thoughts and feelings while also giving you better control over your life. Especially in the new normal where it’s easy to be anxious and frustrated about things beyond our control and aren’t happening the way we expect, meditation centers you to become more accepting and balanced of your environment, feelings, and thoughts.
Do things that make you happy
Your passions and interests are what can keep you going and maintain your mental stability during this difficult time. It doesn’t have to be anything grand — you have to enjoy doing them. Maybe you enjoy being with animals and are considering adopting a four-legged friend. Animals can be great companions and even reduce stress and anxiety levels. The proper dog training and bond between the two of you can lead to some great memories indoors.
Maybe you enjoy playing video games, writing, reading a book, or painting; whatever it is, now’s the time to try it out. The best thing for your sanity is to stay grounded in your interests, as these are activities that give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. No matter how simple they might seem, your hobbies maintain a healthy mental and physical state amidst the pandemic. Especially when you can’t just go out and hang out with your friends, your hobbies act as your primary distractions.
These are just some tips to help you maintain your physical and mental well-being even in the new normal. Just because you’re practicing social distancing, it doesn’t mean you can start neglecting your health. By prioritizing yourself better and keeping yourself grounded with the essential things, you’re a step closer to adjusting correctly to the new normal.
