Ways to Cope When You’re Cooped Up During Winter COVID-19 Lockdown The recent surge in COVID positive cases due to weather changes, less socialization, and decreased daylight hours are worsening the feelings of stress and hardship. As stay-at-home orders are still in place, concerns about coping with mental health issues are top of mind. Here are some tips that can help you nourish your mental health while staying indoors this winter:
1. Make a list As the sense of time during the pandemic is distorted, days feel longer than it did pre-pandemic. You can cope with this situation by preparing a schedule for yourself. It will give you a sense that you’ve accomplished something at the end of the day. Moreover, it helps to get quality sleep at night as you stay functional throughout the day. A few things that you can add to your schedule are:
Exercise Reading Cooking Mindfulness Socialization
2. Knock out projects Once you tackle your to-do list, prepare a list of indoors tasks that you haven’t taken care of in a while/ This can be anything from purging cabinetsto cleaning closets, creating picture albums, completing a painting, and more. Accomplishing these tasks can give you a sense of satisfaction and can spark further creativity.
3. Help your friends, family, and neighbors If anyone near you cannot go out for grocery shopping, walking their dog, or shoveling the snow (due to COVID-19), try helping them. Helping others will make you feel happy and release feel-good chemicals in your body, which is good for mental and physical health.
4. Move around As gyms are closed, it can be tempting to avoid exercise. Push yourself to workout harder and stay fit. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin in the body, promoting happiness and cultivating a happier lifestyle.
5. Sleep and eat healthy Sleep and a balanced diet are necessary to stay fit and healthy. Most people oversleep during winters that can affect their mental health and lead to weight gain and tiredness. Staying home gives us enough time to prepare meals at home. So rather than buying frozen or takeaway meals, start preparing healthy meals at your home. It will not only distract your mind but will also improve your health. Also, make sure to get a sleep of 7-8 hours daily to stay active throughout the day.
6. Think something positive Listing positive affirmations in the morning can help you start your day positively. So, when you wake up every morning, drum up a positive thought before you get out of bed. There is nothing like a positive mindset thatcan help prevent poor mental health. You can also keep a gratitude diary to foster positive thoughts. All you have to do is to write three things for which you’re grateful. They can be small items, such as a talk with a friend, for a lovely dinner, or a good day at work. We’re sure following these tips can help you cope with stress and other mental issues during the Christmas holidays. However, if you experience any signs of depression or anxiety, consult with your healthcare provider. For more information on mental health issues, stay tuned the Wise Rx Discount Card blog !
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