It’s safe to say that these times have been challenging for all of us. Living through a pandemic is something we’ve never experienced before, and we’re all learning to find ways to cope with our new reality of being inside more. It’s understandable if, at some point, you may have found yourself at a psychological low point. Fortunately, we can do things to help ourselves feel better as we navigate this difficult time. Here are five tips that will help you feel better at home during the pandemic.
1. Clean your house
While cleaning might not be the most enjoyable activity for some people, it can be one that can help you feel good after you finish. Studies have shown that mess can sometimes make us feel more anxious and stressed. Even thinking about how much we have to clean up can be a little overwhelming.
Once you clean up the mess, you’ll relieve some of the anxiety and stress you might be feeling. One example of a way you can clean up your home is digitizing all your old DVDs with a DVD Ripper, and then throwing them away.
2. Exercise more
When you’re moving more and giving yourself different sensory experiences, it can help shift your emotional mindset. It’s been found that increased exercise is linked to improved mental health. Maybe you can’t go to your favorite gym because of closures or stay-at-home orders, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get in a workout. Look for at-home workout videos on YouTube that can be done without exercise equipment.
From yoga to cardio workouts, you can find an exercise that’s easy and fun for you to do. In addition to finding workouts on YouTube, you can still take walks outside of your home. Be sure to wear your mask when passing others on the sidewalk.
3. Maintain social interactions
We can feel lonely sometimes, even when we’re around other people. Now that we’re not around people as much as we’d like to be, some of us may feel it even more than ever before. Despite the fact that we can’t get together in public as much, we can still stay connected with one another. Schedule calls with friends or family members in your life.
You could even reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. In addition, try playing games or having a happy hour over a video call. These are all good ways we can continue to have social interactions in our life that can help keep us feeling good.
4. Practice mindfulness
People find different ways to experience peace in the middle of stressful times. For some, they may choose to read from a sacred text or a church service online. Others can choose to find peace through mindfulness. Take time to sit or lie down in a quiet room and meditate. You can find a self-guided medication video on YouTube to help you, or you can look for breathing exercises you can practice.
Mindfulness simply involves focusing on the present moment instead of thinking about the future or reliving the past. Taking time to express gratitude for what you have around you can be a way of focusing on the present. Doing mindfulness can be a way to help give your mind a sense of calm.
5. Seek help from others
If, at any point, you feel like everything in the news is becoming too overwhelming for you to handle, it may be time to seek help from someone. Contrary to what we may assume, sometimes, therapy isn’t just for those dealing with a significant mental illness. It can be useful for anyone who may be dealing with negative mental health symptoms that affect their ability to function in their daily life.
You can look up symptoms of burnout, depression, or anxiety to see if they relate to you. Even if you don’t have many related symptoms, if you just feel lonely or don’t feel right, it’s enough reason to seek psychological support. Mental health professionals are providing ways for people to have easy access to psychological help during these times.
Telehealth therapy sessions are being offered, and online intake forms are making signing up easier. If you’re dealing with financial insecurity, therapists offer their services at reduced rates or even for free. A mental health professional can provide you the tools and knowledge you need to feel better.
The pandemic has been tough for many of us. Despite the challenges, there are different things we can do that can help us cope with our stress. You can try all of these tips to help you feel psychologically better at home.
Interesting related article: “What is Mindfulness?“