Taking Care of Yourself During Lockdown
We all are going through a collective time of turbulence and change. This can put a lot of stress into our lives, especially when it is happening on a global scale. Each person is dealing with a different variety of stress that might include being cut off from your support circle, financial troubles, job uncertainty, and health concerns. Being thrown into a new schedule with an uncertain concept of what is normal or not anymore can really affect the way we handle life. Here are some ideas to help you deal with the uncertainties you may be facing.
Physical Health
It is vitally important that you keep taking care of your physical well-being. Be sure you are eating well-balanced meals, drinking enough water, and getting enough sleep. If you can cut down on the amount of sugar you are eating, you will see an increase in your energy levels. It is also easy to eat more than you need to when you are worried or bored while you are stuck at home. Have meals, and try not to eat outside of them.
Drinking enough water can help you cut down on unneeded eating. Before you eat, try drinking a glass of water and then waiting 15 minutes. You may find that you were thirsty instead of hungry. You should also track the amount of water you are drinking each day. You should be consuming half of your body weight in ounces of water each day.
The lack of a schedule can also mess up your sleep schedule. Try to stick to a bedtime and wake time to keep your days feeling normal. Creating a routine for the end and beginning of the day can keep you in a healthy routine.
Emotional Health
You may also be dealing with some extra strain on your mental health. It is important to be aware of how you are dealing with uncertainty and stress and adjust accordingly. You may want to limit your time on social media of the unrest, and news reports are giving you added anxiety. You can still stay aware of the issues and how to stay safe without constantly scrolling through stress-inducing posts.
If you are dealing with a lot of added stress, anxiety, or depression, then don’t ignore it. Finding an outlet for all these feelings is important. Journaling and meditation can really help you explore and understand your feelings. You may also want to confide in another person you know you can trust. Sometimes talking to someone can help you work through complex feelings. You can also join a Panic + Anxiety Community Support group to find people dealing with the same things as you.
Social Health
Even if your social life is limited, you still should find ways to connect with others. Cutting yourself off completely from other people will only heighten your feelings of dread and sadness. There are many ways you can plan safe ways to get together with others in person, like outside activities that adhere to social distancing guidelines. You can also utilize technology to help you stay connected, like video conferencing software.
