The COVID-19 pandemic has altered every aspect of our lives – from our work habits and healthcare to recreational activities, self-care and socializing. Understandably, this new reality comes with a fair share of challenges.
Many people get so caught up in a cycle of worries and anxieties that they forget about themselves; however, you won’t be able to do much if you exhaust yourself. Such a mindset isn’t healthy in the long run, especially during the pandemic when we need to rearrange our lives AND stay healthy at the same time without compromising our immunity.
As such, it’s imperative to prioritize self-care when needed. It might be about time to look at your sleeping patterns. Taking up exercise might also prove to be exceptionally beneficial to your overall wellbeing, as can be finding a new passion for your long-forgotten hobby. If you feel like you need reassurance, you can also get a COVID-19 tester to regularly check if you’re staying healthy. And most importantly, don’t forget to reach out to others – to talk and listen.
Below, we get deeper into how you can start taking care of yourself during these hard times. Once you find the balance, you will also be better prepared for any future challenges.
Get Enough Sleep
We’re all aware of how important it is to get enough sleep every night, though many people have problems putting this theory into practice. When you’re short on sleep, your body slows down, making it harder for you to perform everyday tasks. What’s more, your immune system gets weaker, and this is the last thing you need when you’re dealing with a pandemic.
While it might be tempting to drink coffee or other stimulants in order to combat sleepiness, this strategy works only for so long. It’s essential to establish a healthy nightly routine – one that will ensure you get the amount of sleep all adults need (about 7-8 hours per night).
You can start by going to bed at the same time every night. You should then avoid caffeine, alcohol, and strenuous activity before bedtime. You can also take up relaxing self-care activities, such as taking a hot bath, reading a book, or meditating. Your bedroom should be quiet, dark, and comfortable; furthermore, you should get a good mattress and pillow.
Take up Exercise
Exercise is one of the most effective ways of improving your mood and boosting your immune system. And the best thing about it is that you don’t have to buy a gym membership just to start moving more.
Even activities as simple as going for a jog or doing some pushups every day can make a huge difference in how you feel. Household chores can also count as exercise, especially if you do a lot of scrubbing and running around with a vacuum cleaner. Additionally, you can make an effort to go for regular walks, bike to the nearby places instead of taking the car, or try to choose stairs over the elevator whenever possible. Staying active is a form of self-care!
Find a Hobby
A lot of people spend their free time watching TV or checking their social media accounts. While it’s understandable why people would do this – after all, it’s one of the easiest ways to relax after another hectic day – it might be a bit mind-numbing in the long term.
As such, you can try to go back to something you used to enjoy but gave up due to lack of free time, or look for a new way to entertain yourself. It could be learning a new language, playing an instrument you’ve always wanted to learn, starting a blog, or taking up a new self-care activity that you would never have considered before. Possibilities are endless!
Avoid Social Media
The world has changed considerably since social media became an integral part of our lives, and the spread of the pandemic added a whole new level of madness to it. For a start, social media promotes feelings of jealousy and constant competition. Every time we log into one of the platforms, we’re putting our self-worth at risk.
And even if social media isn’t affecting your self-esteem, there’s no denying that it provides plenty of reasons for worry and anxiety. Users are bombarded with news from all over the world, so there’s no avoiding the pandemic even if you wanted to. So unless there’s something incredibly urgent that needs your attention on Facebook or Instagram, then it’s best to stay away from it for a while.
Spend Time With Your Friends and Family
We are lucky to have families and friends who care about us, and keeping in touch on a regular basis helps us feel loved and supported. It’s also essential for your mental health to spend time with people you love – it’s a great way to improve your mood and keep your spirits up.
Of course, it’s not always easy to find the time to do this; however, you can make a point of spending at least a couple of hours with your friends and family each week. You can also make sure to tell them how much their support means to you.
If seeing your loved ones in person isn’t possible, try to connect with them using technology – Zoom and FaceTime are perfect, but in times when all you need is to hear someone’s voice, simply calling someone will also work.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has made life harder for all of us. It’s true that many people have experienced even greater challenges, such as losing a loved one or dealing with a serious illness. Still, we have to face reality and deal with everything on our own terms – that way, we can stay healthy no matter what happens around us.
By following this simple advice, you will be able to keep your immunity up while working on your career and spending time with your loved ones. Once you get a grip on how to achieve this balance, you will be ready for whatever comes next!