It is no surprise that the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on our lives affecting our physical, mental, as well as emotional health. The challenges are indeed stressful and thus it is important to take proper care of your mental health along with physical precautionary measures.
With the lockdown in action, there are a lot of drastic changes for students, employees, and especially frontline workers. It is mentally straining for the ones working from home as well as the ones outdoors. However, the severity of the stress varies.
Having a check on your mental health is indeed essential because it affects everything you are associated with i.e. job, relationships, academics, sleep, etc. When you’re experiencing mental health issues, it may seem impossible to complete even basic work assignments or care for yourself.
Another interesting unknowing stressor could be social media especially because of the exposure it gives out. The increasing number of cases, the suffering of the patients, the economic situation, can all add up to piles of burden. Constant updates from various unauthorized channels can provide misleading information leading to high levels of distress.
Being restricted in homes is one of the major stressors one’s facing in this time of difficulty. Unable to meet loved ones, visit places, travel, is all a major breakdown for most people leading to grief.
With so much known, what does one do to take care mentally? Here are some easy ways to ensure mental wellbeing and keep you positive during the time of the pandemic.
Take adequate physical care
The first thing to ensure mental wellbeing is to be fit physically. Include fruits and vegetables in your diet. Especially the ones rich in vitamin C like broccoli, brussels sprouts, oranges, berries, etc. & keep away from junk food or any sort of processed food.
Exercise
Working out or carrying out a physical activity releases endorphins which in turn makes you feel good. Plus, it maintains your body shape. Thus, pick a favorite exercise routine and get started even if it’s simply dancing or skipping.
Limit social media/ news
It’s good to be informed, but hearing about the pandemic constantly can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a couple of times a day and disconnecting from phone, tv, and computer screens for a while.
Meditate
Breathing exercises along with some meditation is the need of the hour. Indulge in some daily alone time and practice simple breathing along with some positive affirmations daily for 10–15 minutes.
Indulge in a hobby/ activity
Developing a hobby like painting, singing, reading, etc. will help give time to yourself and keep you away from all the negative thoughts around you.
Connect with a loved one
Social distancing has transformed your social life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch with those important to you. Phone calls along with video chat programs such as What’s App, Skype, and Zoom will help you stay connected with your loved ones.
Take short breaks between activities/tasks
Doing a single task for a long period of time can be overwhelming. Thus, take short breaks in between by walking or sitting on your balcony, or listening to music. This will help you feel rejuvenated.
Maintain a fixed healthy routine
A routine will help you to adapt more quickly to this current reality. Create clear distinctions between work and non-work time, ideally in both your physical workspace and your headspace.
Journal your thoughts
Writing down how you feel helps you vent out. It also makes you feel lighter and see things from a clearer perspective.
Be compassionate with yourself
These times are tough and it can be overwhelming. It is important to practice self-care and be kind to your mind. It is okay to validate how you feel. Vent out with a loved one or in case of things feeling overburdened, consult a mental health professional.
It is indeed important to take care of yourself physically, but do not overlook your mental health. It is equally vital. This time is tough, but it will pass. Practice these easy tips and focus on yourself as well as the safety of others while carrying out measures like washing your hands, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distancing.
Together, we can!
