It has been over a year and a half since the COVID-19 virus was labeled a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. During that time, communities across the world have been forced to give up every sense of normalcy to their daily lives and it has been far from easy.
No matter where you look or where you turn, families and individuals are succumbing to the many challenges we’re all faced with today. Some people aren’t able to work, some people aren’t able to spend time with their loved ones, and some people have even been taken from us.
There’s no telling how long it will take to recover from this drawn-out tragedy and many people have already seen their lives changed in ways they would’ve never imagined — not necessarily for the greater good, either. It’s going to take some time to heal, but we’re all in this together.
So, are you feeling overly-stressed and anxious?
If the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a large amount of stress and anxiety in your life, don’t panic. You’re not alone. There are millions upon millions of other people that are struggling to get through this pandemic and while it might seem difficult to imagine, there is a way out.
This world might seem like a dark and scary place to live in right now, but it won’t be like this forever. Better yet, there are ways to reduce and relieve the stress and anxiety you’re feeling on a daily basis. It might seem dark and scary, but here are some ways to brighten it up a little bit.
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01. Don’t Forget About Your Physical Health
Many people tend to forget that the body and mind are interconnected. It’s going to be very hard to improve your mental health without also taking an interest in your physical health. Any disconnection between the two can have a resounding impact on your day-to-day routine.
In order to ensure a healthy physical state, it’s very important you eat a healthy, balanced, and regular daily diet. That means eating your fruits, vegetables, protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Of course, that also means avoiding the foods that aren’t good for you.
In addition to your diet, you should maintain a regular exercise routine — even if it’s just going for a 30 minute walk each day. Regular sleeping patterns, meditation, avoiding drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and scheduling regular appointments with your primary doctor are also recommended.
02. Practice Mindfulness On a Daily Basis
If there’s one thing we can all practice a little more of, it’s a little something called mindfulness. Especially in the digital world we live in today, many of us are so infatuated with our mobile devices that we tend to tune out all the wonderful and beautiful things that happen around us.
Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and learning to appreciate each moment for what it is. It’s easy to get stuck in the past and it’s even easier to worry about what the future has in store, but we can’t forget to live in and value the present moment — every single day.
In order to do this, we need to learn to put down the mobile device every once in a while, turn off the television for a bit, and avoid the computer screen for a moment. Instead, take a step back, breathe, and relax. Take in everything that’s going on around you and learn to appreciate it.
03. Connect With Friends & Family
With that being said, you don’t need to completely forget about your technology and mobile devices. Especially with how the COVID-19 pandemic has limited our ability to see people face-to-face, your mobile device is often the only reasonable way to connect with other people.
When you do decide to pick up that phone or turn on the computer, don’t use that time to play games and waste away your day. Instead, use it to connect with those that matter most to you. There are a ton of friends and family that would love to hear from you and see how you’re doing.
With technology today, there are a million different ways to do this. Some people prefer texting, some people prefer talking over the phone, and others prefer a nice video chat. In fact, most people prefer a combination of all of the above! Either way, reach out to your friends and family.
04. Take Part In a New Hobby or Interest
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken so much from each and every one of us. In addition to the jobs, lives, and peace of minds that were lost over this past year and a half, many of us have lost hobbies and special interests that are no longer available — or at least for the time being.
Although it might be hard to cope with the loss of a hobby, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. There are millions of different hobbies out there and now is the perfect time to find yourself something new and unique to indulge yourself with — especially if you have the time!
In fact, this could be a great way to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, and ultimately take your mind off of a lot of the negativity that’s circulating the world today. It’ll add a little bit of excitement in your day-to-day routine and give you something exciting to look forward to on a daily basis.
05. Reach Out to a Mental Health Professional
Stress and anxiety are two natural responses that we experience on the daily. While there’s nothing wrong with stress and anxiety in moderation, these emotional responses can become a little too much to handle for some people — especially with the amount of uncertainty right now.
If your stress and anxiety levels are starting to dissipate your quality of life, it’s important you don’t avoid or run away from it. Instead, you should reach out to a mental health professional right away so they can help find the source of the stress and help you find ways to cope with it.
When your mental health is damaged, it can change the way you view the world and start to take away all sense of meaning or purpose you once had. Don’t let your mental health suffer. There’s nothing wrong with admitting you have a problem and there’s nothing wrong with fixing it!
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Help Today!
There’s a growing amount of uncertainty in the world today. With uncertainty comes an opportunity to either grow or dissolve. If you start to feel yourself faltering to the everyday emotions that overcome you, it’s time to change your way of thinking and overall behaviors.
Although there’s often a negative stigma that comes with therapy and mental health professionals, there should never be any shame in reaching out for help. If you’re interested in seeking a form of online therapy, contact our good friends over at BetterHelp for assistance.
You can also follow our Citi I/O blog for more useful and insightful information on the ever-changing world we live in today. We post on a variety of topics and niches related to technology, people, and the cities we live in, so don’t hesitate to check us out sometime!
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