Have you found yourself experiencing gut-wrenching anxiety or a sense of helplessness during the outbreak of covid cases?
The fear and helplessness is understandable during these times. However, it is vital to prioritize emotional health because poor stress management weakens our immune systems, which in turn makes us vulnerable to health struggles. Keeping our minds, souls and spirits healthy is what we can do in making a difference as opposed to fretting.
Here are few tips to stay strong and find a sense of hope amidst the uncertainty:
1) Curb your Information diet: Although it is wise to stay informed and updated with the latest news, we ought to consider the damage that overload of covid related news can cause on our emotional wellbeing. One of the reasons it can affect us is because we read devastating stories of loss and instinctively fall into the, “what if” thinking pattern.
An alternative approach to this dilemma is to be vigilant of how the news is impacting us and gauge the boundaries we want to draw for media consumption. Set a timer on your apps or switch off the notification bells to prevent unnecessarily usage. Choose to converse with individuals who take precautions and are well-informed as compared to those who incite fear and panic.
2) Finding support in fighting fear: Apart from following governmental protocols of social distancing, washing hands & wearing double masks, we can also actively fight the fear. Starting a virtual support group among friends to engage in mindfulness exercises is a helpful strategy.
Check out our tips on mindfulness here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJEMXjG7a8Q
Mindful breathing, body scans, grounding and checking in are helpful strategies which help us stay in the present moment. There are plenty of online apps as well as videos that offer these exercises. Don’t put pressure on yourself to relax immediately however, the goal is to accept the reality and notice it without judgement.
3) Allocate energy productively: channel the anxiety into a productive activity which helps you regain your sense of control over the seemingly ‘out of control’ situation. Prepare a meal for a neighbor who might be unwell, contribute to a covid crisis relief funds of your choice, keep some time to pray for the ones who are sick and suffering, find ways to relax without screens – this could include a book with a warm drink or an evening walk with music.
4) Work- smart from home: When working from home, the lines between professional life and personal life can often get blurred. Ways you can work smarter is by creating a designated work-space for yourself that is not easily interrupted by home distractions, setting up a schedule where you engage in mindful breaks instead of social media breaks.
Unplugging from work after your hours are complete, staying up late to complete pending work will prevent you from recharging for the next day. Replacing video conferences with phone calls can help reduce the strain for your eyesight. Read more about how to take care of your body, while working from home.
5) Routine to the rescue: Beginning and ending your day with a routine can make a world of a difference in combatting work from home lethargy. For example, your morning routine may involve making your bed, preparing your work desk, sipping a warm drink and saying a prayer. Your night time routine may involve unplugging from screens two hours prior to bed time, a warm bath, journaling, putting on a face mask and some mindful breathing. This helps you unwind not only physically but mentally as well.
Articles similar to this: Work From Home Sucessfully; Greiving During Isolation; Lifehacks for Covid Strains; Loneliness during Lockdown
Did you find these tips helpful? Let us know if you would like specific resources on emotional wellness! Email us at info@meadowsofhope.com.
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