How is your mental state at home?
Mental health is undoubtedly just as crucial as one’s physical health. While this importance of mental health was largely ignored or misunderstood in the past, recent years have seen a positive push towards mental health awareness.
If there’s anything the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, it’s that social distancing can negatively impact our mental health. Thankfully, there are several ways to support your mental health while staying at home. Here are a few of them:
Take Care of Your Body
It’s easy to ignore exercise when you are stuck at home. However, one should make a conscious effort and go out of their way to engage in physical exercise. Not only are physical activities essential for your body, but they’re just as useful for your mental health. You don’t need expensive workout equipment; YouTube is full of home workout tutorials for people of all ages. You can also find some fitness apps that can serve this purpose.
Other than that, eating healthy and staying hydrated can keep your body in good shape and hence support your mental health. Avoid unhealthy lifestyles like smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, eating more fast foods, and taking recreational drugs. It is also a good idea to stick to healthy sleep habits. Be sure to go to bed on time, use comfortable bedding like eucalyptus sheets to get better sleep, and wake up on time.
Stay Connected
Human beings are social animals, and just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you should ignore your primal needs. Make sure to spend quality time with the people in your home, talk to them, and participate together in activities like cooking and gardening. Despite all the cons that come with staying home, we should all be thankful to the internet for connecting us with our distant loved ones.
It is perfectly normal to feel down, concerned, or anxious when spending most of your time inside your home and without physical interactions. Make sure to share your feelings and problems with your loved ones on the phone. Ignoring the early signs of mental stress can cause them to build up and affect your mental health. Getting them off your chest can do wonders for your psychological well-being.
Keep Yourself Busy
An idle mind is undoubtedly the devil’s workshop! Keep yourself busy when you are at home. Stay engaged in fun and useful activities.
- If you have a hobby, such as reading, dancing, or gardening, be sure to add them to your daily routine.
- Take advantage of the pandemic to work on your skills. For example, consider enrolling in an online course to learn a new skill like painting, coding, playing a musical instrument, etc.
- Take time out every day to shut off, relax, and clear your mind. Meditation or yoga are effective ways to give your mind a break.
Anyone can be susceptible to mental health issues, especially during the COVID-19 social distancing. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying in touch with friends and family, and keeping yourself occupied can help you prevent mental stress. Remember to keep a check on your loved ones, too, as they could be going through difficult times as well. Don’t hesitate to consult with a therapist if you feel the need for professional help.
