HNE Staff Studies have shown a surge in depression linked to the pandemic. The world has to deal with millions of deaths, financial crises, isolation, and uncertainty as new COVID-19 variants arise. Researchers fear that the mental health damage on people could last even after the pandemic ends. Prioritizing your mental health is now more important than ever. Know some important ways to improve your mental health.
Here are some self-care tips on how to empower yourself:
1. Filter the News You Get Every Day
Listening to and reading the news can easily trigger your anxiety. What’s worse is that a lot of misinformation might fuel your existing fears about COVID-19 and even vaccination. You can fight this by getting news from reliable sources.
2. Treat Fear and Anxiety As Normal
Talk about anxiety, depression, and feelings in general with people you trust. Let your fears out instead of keeping them all in. Aside from family members and close friends, you can get help from support helplines and mental health crisis services.
3. Eat Healthily
Stress-eating is not the way to deal with your fears and anxiety. As much as you need to power your mind, you also need to fuel your body with the right food. Eat more food with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These include green leafy vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, berries, fruits, and olive oil. Think more of a typical Mediterranean diet.
Keep a healthy diet instead of giving in to the temptation of stress eating. Doing so will help stabilize your energy levels, mood, and overall mental health. Eating healthy also improves your immunity against the virus.
4. Get Into Relaxing Activities
Find fun ways to relax, such as going back to doing the hobbies you love to de-stress. It could be yoga, dancing, reading, meditating, listening to music, cycling, swimming, and more. Engaging in these relaxing activities could help you forget the chaos around you.
5. Stick to a Proper Sleeping Routine
Treat sleep as therapy. Getting good sleep helps boost your immunity, which is critical to fighting infections. It also lessens the negative impact of stress on our bodies. The more you lack sleep, the more prone you are to manifesting the signs of stress. Your brain also needs a good night’s sleep for it to function properly. It will help you make good decisions and put you in a good mood.
Even if you’re working from home, keep a healthy sleep schedule. Try to keep a regular bedtime every day in a dark, cool, and quiet room. Don’t exercise or check work-related emails an hour before bedtime. Avoid caffeine a few hours before going to bed.
6. Be Active
Keep endorphins flowing throughout your body and boosting your mood by staying active. You might not be able to go to your favorite gyms, but you can always work out at home. There are bodyweight exercises you can do. You might also want to pick up active hobbies, such as hiking, cycling, or swimming, things that you can do close to home.
7. Laugh
While you need to limit your screen time to filter the news that gets to you, don’t hesitate to indulge in a few funny YouTube videos. Laugh as much as you can. Research shows it can relieve stress. The endorphins you get from laughing also ease tension. The act of laughing in itself helps bring in oxygen to your body.
8. Recognize Signs of Stress
You should know when your body needs relief from stress. You should know signs that point to burn-out and stress so you can remedy it before it gets worse. Typical signs include disconnecting from family and friends, getting irritated easily, suffering from more frequent headaches. Get to know the red flags that should tell you to take a breather, a short walk, or a personal time with your kids or pets.
9. Stay Connected
Despite the need to avoid the usual social gatherings pre-COVID style, stay connected to other people. Catch up with the colleagues you used to see in the office now that you’re working from home through virtual meetups. Schedule online get-togethers with friends. If you want to go out, do so with friends you feel safe meeting in person while observing minimal health protocols. Do not feed that feeling of isolation. Cut it by reaching out to other people.
10. Show Compassion to Yourself and Others
It’s understandable how easy it is to fall into a pit of anxiety because of this pandemic. Accept how anxiety is normal amid the threats of the coronavirus. It is what makes you cautious about dealing with people outside of your safe bubble at home. It is also the same feeling that will keep the people around you safe. If you need help, acknowledge it and reach out. Be keen on observing who also needs your help.
Conclusion
The pandemic is stressful for everyone. The continuing battle to keep it in control in many parts of the world may leave you anxious for the future. While the world continues to curb the pandemic, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to keep your mental health strong. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and to extend the same to others.
Do you want to feel more financially secure amidst the pandemic? Read the article 10 Tricks to Save Money During a Pandemic. Apply the tips and be more fruitful for your savings account.
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