There is no doubt that the Covid-19 virus presents a serious risk to our physical health. In all the furor surrounding the death toll and the economic havoc that is being wreaked, the damage that the crisis is doing to our mental health can sometimes be overlooked. For the many people who struggle with mental illness on a daily basis, being on lockdown is something akin to what their worst nightmare would look like.
But it does not matter if you have no prior history of mental illness; being stuck indoors all day every day with the sword of Damocles hanging over your head can have a serious negative impact on your state of mind. To help you through this trying time with your mental health intact, we have put together a list of tips that you can try at home. Read on to find out more.
- Video Conference Calls with Your Friends and Family
It does not matter who you are; if you have no contact with the outside world, you will start to feel isolated and alone after a while. To combat the loneliness, make sure that you make an effort to stay in touch with the people who are important to you. Fortunately, the digital age has brought with it some fantastic video conferencing technology that makes it easier than ever before, so there really is no excuse.
- Stay Fit and Healthy
There is some definite truth behind the well-known saying ‘a healthy body equals a healthy mind’. Exercise is known to release endorphins in the brain that have the proven effect of lifting a person’s mood. Certain healthy foods can have the same effect. Try to do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, whether it be yoga or an exercise bike session, and make sure to eat well.
- Mindfulness
The stress of worrying about your older relatives friends at times like this can be quite debilitating. One way of staying on top of this stress is to practice mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness encourages you to stay in the present and not worry about things in your life over which you have no control. If you do not know how to do it, there are now some great apps available which can teach you the basics.
- Go Outside as Much as You Can
It is often surprising how uplifting simply getting out of the house can be. If you are lucky enough to have a garden, make sure to make the most of it. The summer is almost upon us, so drag out those deckchairs and let the fresh air and sight and sounds of the garden wash over you.
Being stuck inside during lockdown is not easy for any of us. If you are struggling, there are a few simple things you can do to help you pull through. Start with some of the tips in this post, and you should notice a lift in your mood almost immediately.
