Ways To Protect Your Mental Health During Covid-19 Pandemic

Updated on 3 February 2021

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Five important ways to protect your mental health during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on many changes in our life. With the looming uncertainties, altered daily routines, economic downturn and information overload, getting worked up about the pandemic and its ramifications is unavoidable. If you experience stress, fear, anxiety, sadness or loneliness, then you are not alone. Indeed, these challenging times have taken a toll on mental and emotional well-being. For all of these reasons, it is pertinent to protect our mental health as much as protecting ourselves from the coronavirus.

Five important ways to protect your mental health during the pandemic

Stick to a routine No matter what is going on in your life or happening at large, establishing a routine is one of the most important things to protect your mental health. You should have a proper schedule for getting up in the morning, having meals, shower as well as for work or study, exercise and bedtime and this schedule must be followed consistently. Do set aside some time for activities that you enjoy. If you face a neurological problem that is preventing you from doing daily activities, then you must seek help from the best neurology hospital in Hyderabad or other cities.
Engage in regular physical activity Now that the gyms are closed and outdoor activities are so limited, there is the danger of becoming inactive sitting at home throughout the day. Yet, you must find a way to move. You may opt to walk, run, dance or exercise. Look into online exercise or yoga videos for inspiration. Doing physical activity regularly and exercise helps in reducing anxiety and improving mood. Spend some time in the sunshine as exposure to natural light is a powerful way to establish a healthy circadian rhythm.
Get enough sleep This is important too, yet many of us ignore it. You need to have seven to nine hours of sleep to get the rest you need. Make sure that you stick to a consistent sleep schedule even if you are home all through the day. You should be going to bed and getting up at the same times each day. To get a sound sleep, you must switch off all gadgets and stay away from all technology, at least 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.
Eat healthy Choose a healthy and balanced diet. It is best to avoid junk food, refined sugar and caffeine overdose. You must also avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Smoking tobacco puts you at a higher risk of lung disease. We all know that COVID-19 affects the lungs, those who smoke are vulnerable to this pandemic even more. If you consume alcohol or take drugs to cope with stress, it can make matters even worse.
Relax and recharge Set aside time for yourself. Do meditation, yoga, and stretching. After work, you may listen to music, read a book or spend time on any mind-healing hobby. Select any activity that works best for you and practise it regularly. Make time to unwind and spend time on new hobbies. To maintain your inner calm, make a conscious effort to limit your screen time too. Spend less time on gadgets and don't burden yourself with constant updates about COVID-19 from all types of sources, some of which could even be wrong. Know only as much as necessary from official sources and stay safe.
Connect with others Find time each day to make virtual connections with your loved ones by email, texts, phone, or messaging and video chat apps. If you are a remote worker, then you can catch up with your colleagues over the phone every once in a while to ask how they are doing and exchange tips for coping with the new normal. Try to extend a helping hand to the people around you —especially the elderly. Any senior citizen going through a serious neurological problem should seek consultation from professional neurosurgeons from top hospitals.