Lockdown due to the coronavirus has been tough for many. While rules are starting to relax, many people are making the decision to stay at home until infection rates improve. Without going to work, seeing friends and getting the chance to spend quality time outdoors, your mental health can suffer.
While there are all kinds of things you can do to stay sane during the COVID-19 lockdown, you need to pay particular attention to your mental health. With all kinds of factors affecting your mood and outlook, it’s time for self-care more than ever.
Here are some of the ways you can boost your mental health while spending more time at home.
Eat better and work out
Are you one of the many who has found themselves becoming a complete couch potato during lockdown? This behavior isn’t helping your mental health. While it’s easy to neglect yourself because you’re not going to see anyone for a while, a period of weeks or months or unhealthy behavior can have a long-term impact.
Focusing on healthy eating and working out will give you a focus during lockdown. It will also help you have more energy, and make you less irritable. There are different ways you can workout during lockdown and keep track of your fitness to help you stay on target with your goals.
After a couple of days of better eating, you’ll soon find big improvements to your mood and how you feel in yourself. A reliance on certain foods or substances like alcohol will only make things worse at this time. While you might be asking ‘does alcohol cause depression’ right now, it’s important that you pay close attention to your mood and how you feel when engaging in certain behaviors. Make sure you get help if things don’t seem right.
Regulate your sleeping pattern
It can be difficult to sleep normally when you’re in the house all day. With a lack of routine, change of scenery or even daylight some days, you could find yourself struggling to get to sleep at night. While burning some excess energy during the day through exercise will help, there are other things you can do to help you sleep better right now. Try to get your regular eight hours and be careful of oversleeping – napping too much will leave you feeling sluggish and groggy.
Have some goals
Keeping busy is important right now. It can help you make the most of this valuable time at home, while also keeping your mind off the seriousness of what is happening. Set yourself some fun challenges like decorating your home, learning a language or reaching a fitness goal. Having something to aim for will keep you busy, and you’ll get a little lift seeing yourself progress towards your goal.
Your mental health should be a priority now and always. By making some positive changes to your lifestyle, you can soon see a big difference in your mood and get the most out of lockdown. If you’re anxious or feeling down, talk to someone. With many people feeling similar feelings right now, it’s a good time to reach out and ease some of the weight off your shoulders.
