If the impacts of COVID-19 have started to get you down over the last few weeks, you're not alone. The lack of opportunities to lead a normal life poses a continued threat to everyone's mental health, not least in regard to stress. Finding ways to reduce your stress levels over the coming months should, therefore, be a priority for all.
Here are 10 of the best tricks to see you through this difficult period and maintain your mental wellbeing for many years to come.
Meditate
There's no better way to reduce your stress than actively combating it through meditation. When you know how to use japa mala beads for a range of practices, you will be perfect positioned to disconnect from the outside world. The heightened levels of inner peace will see stress fade away from your body in a matter of minutes. Yoga is another strategy that can be incorporated to achieve greatness.
Meditation is great for the home or if you get a few minutes to spare at work. When out and about, though, developing simple deep breathing exercises is the best solution.
Exercise
The current social climate causes people to stay inside for far longer periods than they'd like. Sadly, the sedentary lifestyle poses a wide range of health risks. Therefore, it's vital that you find ways to incorporate exercise into your day. Cycling, running, home workouts, and brisk walks are just some of the ideas you can use. It will aid your organs and mindset through the release of endorphins.
Without exercise, energy levels will quickly fade and you may become irritable. When combined with weight gains, it's inevitable that stress levels would rise too.
Cut Financial Waste
Money worries are the most common form of stress even under normal circumstances. It has become an even greater problem in recent times, though, as jobs feel less secure than ever. One of the best ways to combat this is to reduce unnecessary costs. Cutting down cell phone or cable TV packages can have an immediate impact without reducing your quality of life. Your food waste is another focal point.
When your bank balance is in a better position, your life will be under far less stress. Moreover, you'll have more time to focus on the other goals that you've set.
Schedule Chats With Loved Ones
You might not be able to see friends and distant relatives face-to-face. But that shouldn't mean that you have to forget about each other. Learning how to manage Zoom quizzes and other virtual meetings can work wonders. This is a chance to chat and reminisce. Crucially, the human interactions with people you care about will deliver a sense of comfort. And remind you that this situation won't last forever.
Even in these unprecedented times, we all have our own lives to lead. So, it's important to schedule the times rather than expect them to be ready to drop things as soon as you say.
Sleep Better
Notice the operative word is ‘better', and not ‘more'. The pandemic may encourage you to waste days by sleeping before staying up at night. Honestly, it's more important than ever to adopt a healthier sleep pattern. This will establish the platform of a healthier lifestyle. Avoiding restless nights will remove stress while a better quality of sleep improves your cortisol levels.
So, good sleep will scientifically help you stay away from stress in the weeks to come. A new mattress, improved surroundings, and smarter evening routine should pay dividends.
Adapt The Home
If you are going to spend more time at home, you need to ensure it's a happy environment. Knowing how to build a home office can work wonders if you're working remotely. Meanwhile, setting aside spaces for creative activities or hobbies will make a big impact. When you are actually able to enjoy your property to the max, it shows in the form of reduced stress levels.
On a side note, you should look to boost the security. Otherwise, the looming threat of intrusions will continue to stand in your way of true relaxation.
Laugh
Laughter truly is the best medicine for fighting stress. Unfortunately, the current social climate doesn't really make us feel like laughing. And Covid-19 isn't the only reason. Nonetheless, unleashing your inner Eric Idle by looking on the bright side of life is vital. In fact, watching comedy films and TV shows is probably one of the smartest ways to make it happen at this time.
You can still find fun and laughter in daily activities, at work or at home. COVID-19 shouldn't stop that from happening. If it does, you've let it win.
Be Organized
Good organizational skills benefit your life in many ways. Reduced stress is one of the greatest outcomes. Essentially, you will regain control of your life while the added guidance also prevents you from falling off track. Writing plans and ‘to do' lists should be followed by recording your progress. Each time you hit a proposed target, it will give you a little boost.
This momentum keeps you in a far better frame of mind. In turn, you will feel stress far less frequently during the pandemic and beyond.
Take A Screen Break
Technology is a major weapon in the battle against boredom and feeling lonely in this tough period. Still, you can have too much of a good thing. Scheduling time to take a break from screens is great for your mindset as well as your eyes. Whether you go for a walk, paint a picture, or listen to music doesn't matter. It's a move that can establish a sense of balance.
Crucially, you should avoid smartphones and computers for an hour before bed. It will take your enjoyment levels to new heights.
Remember It's Not Forever
The pandemic has lasted far longer than anyone predicted when it first broke. This is obviously one of the main reasons that the situation has become so stressful. Still, it will come to an end at some point. Whether life returns to true normality is another question. But the fact that we'll be able to do things we used to do should provide a source of light.
You've done well to get to this stage, and will get through the challenges to come. That should deliver peace of mind in these difficult times.
