This pandemic has had a major effect on lives all over the world. People around the world are facing challenges, especially here in India, where news keeps pouring in every minute, which can be frightening and overwhelmingly scary at times. And for many people, the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 situation can be extra challenging. Apart from the seriousness of its impact on physical health, dealing with Covid-19 itself can be stressful, and can take a huge toll on mental health as well.
With many cities and places under lockdown, and somewhere infection rates are rising every minute and not to forget, the overwhelming number of lives lost in the process, the situation has never been direr. Fear, stress and anxiety have now become a constant part of our daily lives. And while public health actions, such as social distancing, work from home, etc are necessary to minimize the spread of the virus, oftentimes, it can make us feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. And as the days go by, the stress can add up and affect you both physically and mentally. Finding ways to manage and healthily cope with stress can be a great relief in facing uncertainty a little better. In this blog, we look at a few ways on how to manage stress and anxiety around the outbreak and keeping ourselves in a positive frame of mind.
It is completely natural to feel stress, anxiety, and worry during these trying times. Here are ways that you can help yourself and others, manage stress:
1. Take breaks from the news
Being informed about the current situation is good but constant exposure to media can be overwhelming and upsetting. Take breaks from reading, listening or watching the news, including those on social media, such as WhatsApp. Limit your amount of news exposure to just a couple of times a day and make sure you get your information from reputable sources if you feel the need to be updated.
2. Make connections
It is the need of the hour to maintain social distancing and to avoid going out. But this does not mean complete social isolation. With the advancement in modern technology, we are now able to connect with people from all over the world with no difficulty. Reaching out to friends and family through phone or video calls, messages and emails can be a great way to get updated on their wellbeing and make connections during these trying times. Doing these can be a great way to help deal with loneliness, stress and anxiety.
3. Take care of your body
This is an extraordinarily trying time and it is important now more than ever to take good care of your body and also to not be too hard on yourself if you are experiencing anxiety or depression more than usual. Make sure you get enough rest, sufficient quality sleep, regular exercise and a well-balanced diet. Activities such as yoga, meditation, etc can also be a great way to take care of your body and help reduce stress and anxiety. Remember, you are not alone in your struggles.Â
4. Get a dose of sunshine
Social distancing does not mean you have to be cooped up inside your home 24/7. Make time to go outside, take a short walk around the block, especially if the weather is nice. This can help burn some energy and get things moving. Or just read a book on your balcony and breathe in the fresh air, and get a healthy dose of sunshine as often as you can to provide your body with the Vitamin D needed for better health.
5. Do things you enjoy
It is important, especially for parents to make time for themselves. Apart from doing things together with your family, make time for yourself to do the things you enjoy. This can give you the time to relax and unwind, and take away your worries. Read a book, watch a show, paint a picture, cook a good meal, practice yoga as long as it helps you relax and take away the stress and worries.
6. Get organized
Doing certain household chores, organizing your furniture or rearranging your wardrobe, etc can be a great way to take your mind off of the overwhelming Covid situation. It also gives you a sense of achievement which can be an excellent way to relieve stress and anxiety. Taking up projects such as these can also bring some changes that you may have always wanted, but did not have the time for.
7. Lend a helping hand
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is easy to get caught up in our own fears and concerns. But it is important to remind ourselves that everyone is struggling just as we do, or even worse than us. Taking the time to focus on others who are in need can give us a sense of purpose and fulfilment and calms the restless mind. It is a known fact that people who focus on others who are in need and support their communities, especially during times of crisis, tend to be happier and healthier than those who act selfishly. Helping others not only makes a difference in their lives but can also support your mental health and well-being.
8. Maintain a routine
Even though situations may have changed, it is important to maintain day-to-day activities and routine as much as possible. Maintaining a consistent routine can have a positive impact on our thought and feelings and even manage stress. You can start with getting consistent with your sleep timings, waking up, mealtimes, daily exercise, work, etc. Studies have also suggested that sticking to a routine/schedule during traumatic or stressful times can help us cope better.
9. Stresaway Tablets
Preserva Wellness' Stresaway Tablets are a complex formulation containing pure and potent Ayurvedic adaptogenic herbs and spices. These tablets are safe and effective when it comes to reducing stress as the blend of herbs work synergistically to promote mental relaxation and help the person remain calm during stressful situations. It also increases the body’s coping and adaptive mechanism in stressful situations and assists in reducing stress-induced muscle spasms and contractions.
Bottomline
These are uncertain, difficult times and it is completely natural to feel overwhelmed with stress and worries sometimes. But always remember that you are not alone in the struggle. We are all in this together. It is important to find all the possible ways there is to clear your head and relief yourself from stress and anxiety so that you can cope with this Covid-19 pandemic better and come out stronger and healthier than ever!