The pandemic has disrupted the daily routine of billions of people around the world. Families are confined to their homes, making everyone feel cramped and lacking in privacy. Others have been forced into social distancing on their own, which comes with another unique set of mental health challenges. Transitioning to a work-from-home environment has also brought about even more challenges for workers who are lucky enough to be able to do so.
With so many of us now tasked with looking after others, the need for self-care has never been more apparent. After all, if you aren’t looking after yourself, how are you going to take care of your family? Ignoring your own needs will also mean client management will suffer if you are social distancing and working from home.
Focus on Structure
The massive disruptions to daily life mean that we need to develop a focus on structuring our day. The structure is especially important for kids who are usually going through a highly organized day of school and socializing with friends. Your days need to be predictable. Wake at the same time, eat regular meals, and ensure everyone is kept productive. Of course, it’s also essential to take frequent breaks, get some exercise, and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. Scheduled days will help reduce your stress and anxiety levels. While it feels like the rest of the world is in chaos, you can at least maintain structure and order in your home.
Monitor Your Mood
Stress can manifest in several ways, including anxiety, depression, and feeling agitated. It can also have a dramatic impact on your productivity levels, and you may experience physical symptoms such as tiredness and high blood pressure. You must learn to monitor the state of your overall mood and recognize when you might be starting to feel stressed. There are counseling services available online if you are feeling overburdened and unable to cope. Make sure you reach out if you think you need a shoulder to lean on. The most important thing is not to ignore your feelings. Face them head-on and deal with them as they arise. Doing this will help you keep your stress levels in check.
Prioritize Sleep
One of the first things to do when you’re stuck at home all day every day is to ensure a regular sleep pattern. If you’ve got nowhere to be the next day, then you might be inclined to start staying up later than usual. Disrupting your regular sleep pattern will affect your productivity levels, and it will be more difficult to maintain a sensible schedule if you are late to rise every morning, especially where family and school-aged children are concerned.
Stay Physically Active
You might not be able to head off to Zumba class or hit the courts for a round of tennis, but there are still plenty of ways to keep active and fit while social distancing at home. Get yourself a basic set of weights or put your video game console to good use with a fitness game like “Ring Adventure” on Switch, or “Just Dance” on the PlayStation. Take up yoga, or Pilates. Go for a daily walk with the kids, or jump on your bicycles to get some sun. Staying active and keeping fit will help you cope with many of the challenges you will face during the shutdown. Physical activity can also be a fantastic way to control your stress levels.
Everyone will be facing their own set of personal challenges during the pandemic, and an uncertain future will be weighing heavily on people’s minds. However, focusing on what you can control will help you get through it and put you in a better position when things get back to normal.
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