Dealing with the unforeseen challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on the physical and mental health of people across the globe.
1. Impact of the Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health
Social distancing and lockdowns resulted in increases in sedentary lifestyle along with the less physical activity. This unprecedented health crisis also made people more stressed, anxious, irritable, and depressed.
Being isolated and feeling lonely can only further amplify the above conditions and worsen any chronic health problem. The pandemic-related stress had many people scared of losing their jobs or not being able to pay their rent and AEP Ohio energy bill, consequently disrupting their sleep, changing their eating habits, and making them prone to substance use.
Working from home also brought its fair share of challenges as it blurred the boundaries between personal and work life. Many people either had trouble switching off from work or keeping their productivity on track.
On a brighter note, many people also used the opportunity to eat better, practice yoga, be more mindful and change their lives for the better.
2. The Importance of Self-Care During Lockdown
When life gets stressful, we tend to leave self-care aside as a luxury. This is the biggest mistake one can ever make as looking after ourselves is what will actually help us get through any challenging situation. There’s a reason why one of the main rules of flight safety is to put your own oxygen mask first. If you don’t take of yourself, you won’t be able to help anyone else.
Self-care makes us more effective and helps us cope with stress. It provides the body and mind what they need to rest, reset, and rejuvenate. In return, you get more energy to do whatever life throws at you. During a lockdown, self-care is more important than ever as it increases our resilience.
3. Quarantine Self-Care Tips
A self-care plan can help you stay healthy and stay on track.
Unplug
Reconnect with yourself by unplugging from technology. All that noise 24/7 isn’t good for your mind, body, and soul.
Stay connected with your loved ones
Take the time to FaceTime or Skype those you hold dear. Organize a movie night or a book club via Zoom. Relationships are vital to mental health.
Keep a journal
During a lockdown, it’s easier than ever to let time pass by without us noticing and life is too short for that. Keeping a journal will help you document your existence, find inspiration and reduce stress as there’s nothing a piece of paper can’t handle. It will help you stay on track as there are many goals you can accomplish from the comfort of your own home.
Learn something new
Knowledge is power. During a lockdown, you can finally do all those things you never had the time for. Everyone we learn something new, we get to feel good and more self-confident.
Do not underestimate the power of good content
A good book will take your mind off things that ruin your mood. If you are not a fan of reading, get an audiobook or listen to a podcast.
Get a plant or try gardening
Gardening has countless benefits such as bringing some fresh flavors to your menu, helping you feel more grounded, balanced, and mindful. You can even benefit from an indoor plant such as Aloe Vera that emits oxygen at night time whilst simultaneously taking in carbon dioxide, bringing you cleaner air while improving your sleep quality.
DIY Spa
Take a relaxing bath to slow down your brain and reduce your blood pressure. Show your skin some love.
In addition to these self-care tips, this dentist in Salem also highly recommends getting regular health checkups. With the rise of telehealth services, getting a consultation with a doctor is now much easier. Just make sure that your doctor offers this service. Otherwise, you can always find one on the internet.
Takeaway
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives for good. Self-care is what can make the difference for this impact to be positive or negative, so it’s up to you. It helps us remember that we are not powerless. Self-care not a luxury, it is a necessity. So, don’t let your mental and physical health suffer and give yourself the comfort you need on a regular basis.
