Published on April 16th, 2020
We live in a time of uncertainty as the coronavirus pandemic is threatening to affect not only the physical health of people but their emotional and mental well-being as well.
As nation after nation is advising people to stay home for as much as they can and issuing order after order to close down all businesses deemed unessential, people start to worry about the repercussions these measures can have on their mental wellbeing.
Social distancing does not mean not keeping in touch with our friends and family, but rather keeping a physical separation from anyone that is not in your home unit.
For people that have to stay at home with at least one other person, these measures may be a bit more bearable, but for those forced to live alone, solitude can prove to be harmful.
Although we don’t know when yet, things are going to get better and we will be able to go back to our usual lives. Until then, here’s what you can do to keep yourself safe and sane during these challenging times.
1. Ensure You Only Get Information From Reliable Sources
It is completely natural to want to stay informed and keep in touch with what is happening around the world. After all, information is our greatest weapon.
But do make sure you only get your news from reliable sources, such as the CDC, WHO and FDA websites.
They release constant news and updates, together with recommendations on what you should and should not do until things get back to normal.
Try to keep a more analytical approach and filter the information you get, otherwise, you risk allowing fear and panic to settle in.
It is normal to start feeling anxious and scared about what is happening right now, but constantly refreshing the statistics pages just to see how many more people are getting infected, or worse, won’t make it any better.
Avoid getting your news from social media, as there is no way to know if what people share is 100% accurate. You risk coming upon some perturbing news that may or may not be true.
2. Stay Connected With Your Loved Ones
Social distancing means we don’t get to go out as much and can’t hang out with friends in our favorite bar.
But it does not mean you can’t find other ways to keep in touch with friends and family. This will help maintain a sense of normality and lower stress levels.
Thankfully, we live in an era where everyone is just a click away, so why not use this to our advantage? Stay in touch with your loved ones via phone, texting or social media.
Meeting apps have become very popular right now, with people throwing birthday parties, games nights and many other social activities in virtual meeting rooms.
Keeping in touch with others will help us get over these challenging moments and discover that we are actually stronger than we think.
If you run out of things to talk, why not take some virtual tours together? A number of museums and parks are available for touring on Google Arts and Culture.
Some artists are even doing live-streamed concerts that you and your friends can enjoy together.
3. Start Practicing Self-Care
When stress levels are high, it is easy to forget to take care of ourselves. Make time for yourself and for what you like to do.
Watch movies, get back to that good book you never had time to finish, play with your pets, or do things that make you happy.
If you feel anxiety starts to kick in, there are plenty of things to do to help you regain your sense of calm.
Meditation and yoga have proven very helpful to alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety, and many wellness apps are now free to use for everyone.
CBD supplements have also proven to be of help for people struggling with depression, anxiety, insomnia or stress-related disorders.
You can try CBD oil, capsules or high-CBD hemp flowers such as OrganicCBDNugs, depending on your needs and personal preferences.
4. Create A Healthy Stay-At-Home Routine
If you need to work from home, which is advised to do right now, it can get pretty hard to keep the professional and personal aspects of your life separated. This is why you need to start developing a healthy routine.
Don’t skip meals thinking you can get one more assignment done. Wake up at a reasonable hour, eat a healthy breakfast, work out in the morning; do anything you did before the lockdown, but by maintaining physical distance.
If you used to jog in the morning, there’s nothing keeping you from doing so now, as long as you are taking precautions.
Take a well-deserved lunch break or pause even if you are at home, just as you did when you were working in the office.
By emulating your pre-COVID-19 life to the best of your ability, you will be able to keep both your physical and mental health protected.
Spend time with your family if you can and avoid working extra hours just because the laptop is there and you have one more task to do. At the end of the workday, set your laptop aside and relax.
5. Keep A Positive Mindset
When things start to feel too much, take a deep breath and remember that you are not alone in this.
It is perfectly normal to feel uneasy and anxious during these times, it is important to try and be as positive as we can.
It is important to remember that the majority of people who contact the virus only experience mild symptoms.
People most affected by the COVID-19 virus are those with underlying health conditions or senior citizens, so they are the ones we need to protect the most.
By staying at home and taking all the precautions necessary when you go out in public, you are playing your part in helping protect others and flattening the curve, which is the ultimate goal right now.
