*THIS IS A GUEST POST. The opinions expressed are that of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect my own.
PHOTO SOURCE: Pixabay.com
With the onset of COVID-19 and the various lockdown, stay-at-home, and shelter-in-place regulations that followed, many people have neglected their health. The isolation has them feeling down and wondering if it will ever end. However, combating loneliness cannot wait until the pandemic ceases. It is a silent killer that affects one’s quality of life and leads to early death.
If you have been experiencing the COVID-19 blues, here are five vital practices to refocus on for your health and well-being:
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best antidotes for when you are feeling down or depressed. Simple cardio, such as walking or jogging for half an hour at a time four days a week, will not only help you shed those extra lockdown pounds. It also has a powerful effect on serotonin levels in the body. These feel-good hormones coursing through your system give you that post-exercise ‘high’ that makes you feel great.
Exercise should be a family activity that can involve everyone, whether young or old. Take the family dog out for a walk together or visit a park where your kids can run off any excess energy after being stuck indoors.
Diet
While it is tempting to succumb to carbohydrates and other processed foods to deal with your isolation blues, they do nothing in the long run except add extra pounds when you step on the scale. The ‘highs’ after eating these foods last briefly and are followed by lows that see you diving back into the snack cupboard.
Keep your immune system functioning optimally and your body feeling healthy by sticking to a natural diet that consists of unprocessed foods, including fruits and vegetables. If you have any picky eaters in your household, involve them in the daily cooking as this is inclined to make them more adventurous.
PHOTO SOURCE: Pixabay.com
Quality time
We live in uncertain times, and many people have realized the importance of family when the going gets tough. Do not settle for having your family under one roof and leave it at that. You should spend quality time with them, reassuring everyone that they are safe and loved.
Get everyone off their electronic devices for some quality time each evening. Eat supper together and follow it with some board games or jigsaw puzzle building. Such activities give everyone a chance to communicate and bond.
Sleep
Insufficient sleep leads to lethargy the next day, making you far less productive than usual. Sleep is essential for the body and mind to recharge for the rigors of another day. During lockdowns, many people have neglected their sleeping patterns, feeling that it is no longer necessary.
Create a sleep routine for everyone in your family to ensure they get sufficient rest. Children should get at least nine hours and adults seven if they want to be fully functional in the morning.
Stress
The financial and emotional pressures caused by COVID-19 are taking their toll on many people. While you cannot make the source of your stress disappear, practice techniques that allow you to minimize and manage stressors. This includes meditation, breathing techniques, journaling, and therapy.
Remember that when you are stressed, everyone around you feels it too. As an adult in the home, you should lead by example and show family members that it is okay to be stressed but that these feelings require processing.
Conclusion
You are living through an unprecedented time that no one predicted. Be kind to yourself by looking after your body, mind, and soul. Never assume you are the only one feeling low or lonely. Look after yourself and those you love. Beyond that, assist neighbors living alone by calling, checking in, or offering to help with chores, such as shopping.
PHOTO SOURCE: Pixabay.com
About the author;
Charlie Svensson is a prolific academic writer known for his high-level writing, on-time delivery and strong research skills. He is currently working with writing my dissertation, which is regarded as the best thesis and dissertation writing service. He has a good command of arts subjects and likes to blog in digital marketing, sports and politics niches.
