How to stay stress-free and look after mental well-being during the Pandemic time
The recent COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our daily lives, a pandemic is more than just a medical emergency; it affects people and society, causing chaos, fear, tension, and stigma. Covid-19 spread quickly from person to person, prompting regional lockdowns to prevent the disease from spreading further.
All of us are dealing with unfamiliar situation problems that are frustrating, daunting, and elicit intense feelings in both adults and children. Living from home, Isolation, social alienation, closing of educational institutions, offices, temporary unemployment, and entertainment venues forced people to stay at home and a loss of physical interaction with other family members, peers, and colleagues are all modern realities to help break the transmission chain. The restrictive policies, on, On the other hand, have undeniably harmed people’s social, emotional, physical and mental health.
Public health measures like social distancing are important to stop COVID-19 from spreading, but they can make us feel disconnected and alone, as well as raise stress and anxiety. Fear, concern, and tension are natural reactions to potential or actual risks, as well as to insecurity and the unexpected. As a result, people’s anxiety in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic is normal and understandable.
Studies have highlighted the impact on the psychological well-being of the most exposed groups, including children, youngsters, and health workers who are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety, depression & other symptoms of distress. So, it is natural we all feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic however we have to make our priority else we won’t be able to help others.
Let’s understand how to deal with Stress in a Healthy Way
Acceptance Therapy: Release the hopes, don’t be so hard on yourself by not overthinking what will happen, and learn to accept each day as it comes. Make your mind clearer and learn to love yourself for who you are, what you are with all your flows.
Plan-Prepare-Execute: It is critical to create a schedule, which is particularly necessary during a lockdown or in a mainly work-from-home situation. For example, having a schedule, such as in school or college is critical not just for a child but also for any adult to be able to not only advance but also monitor during the day, as routine is the most crucial ingredient in de-stressing.
Take a Break: While it is beneficial to be aware, hearing about the pandemic regularly can be distressing. Consider restricting your news consumption to a few hours per day and taking a break from your phone, television, and computer screens for a moment.
Breathe Therapy: Deep breathing is a natural way to help the body relax by increasing and easing blood supply. Relaxation of the mind and body is aided by improved oxygen supply through the body, which further aids in the release of beneficial toxins. It takes time, but when done regularly, it becomes magical, and we all have this magical wand inside us. If you don’t have much time in hand, doing Morning & Evening for just a bit is also a good start.
Exercise Therapy: Any kind of physical activity, whether it’s yoga, exercises, or meditation, will make you forget about your worries. Exercise encourages you to concentrate on your body rather than your thoughts because it involves repeated movements. When exercising, focusing on the pace of the activities has much of the same effects as meditation. Concentrating on a single physical goal will boost your motivation and excitement. This concentration will help you relax and think clearly.
Food Therapy: Eating a balanced diet can help to minimise the harmful impact of stress on your body. It also helps to create a solid, more long-lasting basis for the body by preventing oxidation and inflammation, as well as weight gain. Incorporating a balanced meal planning habit into your everyday or weekly schedule will significantly increase your overall diet and, in turn, lower your stress levels.
Cooking/Culinary Therapy: Some experts describe cooking therapy/culinary therapy as a therapeutic approach that utilizes the arts, cooking, gastronomy, and an individual’s intimate, cultural, and familial connection with food to solve emotional and psychological problems. Cooking and baking food is now prescribed as a means of stress relief for individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and eating disorders. If sometimes cooking is not an option, then by use of various means the small act of dressing up your plate also helps. It will make you feel better by giving you a sense of achievement and success, as well as improving your socialization, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.
Chew Therapy: One of the most important aspects of our everyday lives that we overlook is chewing our food rather than gulping it; it’s also a good way to exercise your facial muscles. When we’re starving, instead of reaching for fatty snacks or munchies, we should go for nutritional seeds, nuts, and berries, which are high in vitamins and minerals, and chew them thoroughly.
Water Therapy: Hydration is definitely the best body detox you will get and your body is made up of fluids, just make sure you take care of it. Hydrate yourself by drinking water, coconut beverages, and vitamin C-rich fruits, but go easy on your throat. After a long day, soaking your feet in a pool of warm water, even without anything else in it, is a good way to unwind & relax.
Sleep Therapy: Make sure you have enough rest. A restful night’s sleep makes it easier to deal with the stresses of the day. When you’re stressed, you’re less relaxed and more easily irritated, all of which will add to your stress levels. Healthy sleep hygiene, in combination with stress-reduction techniques, will make you sleep well.
Hobby Therapy: There are many advantages of engaging in a hobby outside of work, including the reduction of depression and the ability to remain anchored in the current moment. Doing a hobby allows you to take a rest during the day because it’s relaxing to concentrate on what you enjoy.
Music & Dance Therapy: Music has a powerful impact on both the mind and the body; for example, faster music can make you feel more aware and focus more, while cheerful music can make you feel more confident and happier about life. Music is effective for relaxing and stress relief since a slower pace will calm your mind and loosen your muscles, helping you feel soothed when releasing the stresses of the day.
Reduce On-Screen Time: According to various reports, you can switch off mobile devices such as your mobile phone at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Instead, pull out the book from your nightstand and begin reading before bed. You’ll be amazed by how much faster you fall asleep and how much happier you do the next day.
Social Therapy: Try and play indoor games, innovate puzzles resolve. Involve in a healthy discussion.
De-addiction Therapy: Avoid excessively alcohol, tobacco, and substance use.
These tips are very handy and if we can apply little by little, we will be able to live life away from our own grown stress or mental illness during these tough times.
Take care, stay home, Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!
Tanya S Kapoor
(Nutritionist& Dietician)
Wellness By Tanya
Instagram: @wellnessbytanya
Email: wellnessbytanya@gmail.com
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