The term “social distancing” wasn’t part of our vocabulary a few months ago. But many things have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Now, we’re being asked to stay home, and, for some of us, it’s taking a toll on our mental health.
We’re worried about our loved ones, our kids’ education and our finances. Our movement is restricted and the extended time at home is starting to cause cabin fever.
We understand these worries, so we wanted to share some of the ways we’re staying positive with you. If you’re experiencing stress, we hope you’ll find these little tips useful to help combat anxiety and improve your mental wellbeing.
Keep a routine
In such uncertain times, predictability feels like a luxury. Create a realistic family routine that includes time for work, play and relaxation. Take the time to enjoy healthy meals together, and do your best to get everyone to bed at a reasonable time – getting enough sleep is important for all aspects of your health.
Get outside
We can’t stress this one enough. Keep your social distance by heading out early in the morning or later in the evening. Working up a sweat is a great way to reduce anxiety, so try to keep your body moving for at least half an hour.
If you can’t get outside, you’ll find plenty of exercise videos for every body and skill level online. Check out Walk At Home on YouTube to get started.
Find the good
There’s a lot of bad news going around right now. But there’s a lot of good out there too. Make a point of finding the goodness in your community and being grateful. Helping others is also a fantastic way to feel good about yourself. Consider volunteering to help an elderly community member or donating to a local charity if you are able.
Stay connected
While we can’t see our loved ones in person, we can keep connected through technology. Video chat with friends and family through apps like Facetime, Marco Polo and Zoom, host virtual get togethers on HouseParty or play games as a group on PlayingCards.io. Join a virtual book club, or start your own.
Limit social media
Spending too much time on social media is bad for our eyes, our posture and our stress levels. Put a time limit on social media use and spend a little extra “me” time on relaxing activities like doing puzzles, listening to music or keeping a journal.
Remember, if you feel stressed during this unprecedented time, you’re not alone. Take the time for self-care, focus on the things you can control and stay positive. We’re all in this together!