The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many Americans. Self-care has never been more important, as this unique public health crisis has brought both mental and physical challenges with it. Many people have struggled with anxiety, for example, while others have found it difficult to stay fit while working from home.
Whether you are reentering the “real world” as pandemic restrictions lift or plan to stay close to home, there are certain steps you can take to ensure you are looking and feeling your best in this transitional period. The best news is, you don’t have to go it alone. There are many resources available to help in your journey to better mental and physical wellbeing. Anxiety Mastery Blog offers tips on how to reduce nervousness, for example.
Read on for more tips, tricks, and tools to help you adapt to the “new normal” of the world.
Make your home a safe haven
With kids attending virtual classes and parents working remotely, your family probably spent a great deal of time indoors throughout COVID-19. Clearing bad energy from your home will eliminate lingering negativity surrounding the tense times cooped up in the house. Open the windows to let in fresh air and sunlight. Use a sage stick to smudge the rooms and bring in fresh positivity. A thorough deep clean and decluttering will also help you feel refreshed and more comfortable at home. Removing clutter can even help ease anxiety, as scientists believe that clutter overloads the brain and causes it to produce stress signals.
Find ways to get moving
Physical activity is critical to good mental and physical health. Regular exercise helps you manage your weight, improves cardiovascular function, and produces mood-boosting endorphins. If you’re not ready to head back to the gym or in-person fitness classes, find ways to stay fit online. Many fitness instructors and studios offer Zoom courses you can attend, covering everything from yoga to zumba.
Embrace a healthy diet
A healthy diet nurtures your body and mind. Make sure you’re getting a balance of whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer dietary guidelines that can help inform your eating habits. Additionally, include depression-fighting foods in your diet. The omega-3 found in the oils of fatty fish like salmon are shown to improve brain health. Foods scientifically-proven to help ease depression, such as sweet potatoes, dark berries, bananas, and fatty fish, also help
Make sleep a priority
Sleep allows your body to recharge, giving you energy and maintaining optimal function of your organs and systems. Aim to get at least seven hours per night. Make your bedroom a sleep-friendly space by investing in blackout curtains to keep out extra light and using a white noise machine to block out street sounds. There are a number of hacks you can turn to for getting to sleep faster, from showering at night to drinking milk before bed and making the bedroom cooler.
Take steps to keep anxiety away
You may find yourself struggling with anxiety as you adapt to the “new normal” after COVID. This is perfectly normal, as the pandemic is directly linked to an uptick in anxiety. Be proactive about minimizing anxiety, which has a number of negative health effects. Try practicing mindfulness, for example. According to Psychology Today, mindful practices help decrease anxiety. Possible mindfulness exercises include breathing concentration and meditation.
Above all, be patient with yourself as you readapt to the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for everybody. Focus on the above steps to looking and feeling your best, and you will notice your mental and physical wellbeing improving with time. And for more help in managing anxiety, contact Anxiety Mastery today.
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