We’re not going to lie – this pandemic has taken a mental, emotional, and physical toll on most of us. We’re always under stress and burdened by constant fatigue. It seems like we don’t have time for anything, even when we have all the time in the world. We’re running after our children, gulping one cup of coffee after the other, and working without sleep to meet deadlines and project requirements on daily basis. Despite working remotely, we’re unable to cope with work – questioning our previously held belief that work from home would make our life easier.
People who have creative jobs are now more stressed than ever and are looking for the perfect stress tip or an effective stress-relief technique They’re being tested by constant distractions, homogenous routines, and the general meaninglessness of life. During these highly demanding circumstances, doctors and mental health experts are trying their level best to educate us on stress management techniques. Although COVID-19 has fooled everyone into thinking that they’re the best at coping with stress, only a professional can provide you with effective stress-relieving tips.
Source: People Matters
What is stress? Let’s decode this verb properly. Some people define it as a mental state while others choose to call it an emotional strain. Popular verdict claims that it is a result of challenging circumstances – a subjective notion. Some people experience stress due to hectic schedules, while other experience it due to poor lifestyle and diet.
Thus, you might have come across people in life who’re not stressed at all even when they’re managing three jobs simultaneously. On the other hand, there are people who simply wake up and watch television but get stressed beyond comprehension, just because they don’t exercise and eat healthy.
Thus, reduce your stress levels by following the helpful tips provided below! They’ve been devised keeping the insane elections and unprecedented pandemic in mind:
The worst thing that can increase stress and cause depression is isolation. Many people are living alone during the pandemic – some even continents apart, feeling completely helpless and anxious. Human beings are bound by emotional and physical connections. Why do you think a mother is asked to hug her newborn right after birth? It’s because the newborn feels at home by feeling the physical proximity. Therefore, understand that it’s a difficult time and we’re all going to go back to normal. And for the time being, work with social media and other web applications to reconnect with your loved ones on an emotional level.
Exercise is critical when it comes to handling stress. When you workout, your body releases healthy hormones like endorphins, and reduces negative hormones like cortisol, which is a major contributor of stress. Since the lockdown and pandemic have forced us all inside the boundaries of our homes, our overall activity level has gone down as well. Due to this reason, it is now more important than ever to exercise regularly for at least thirty minutes.
You need to add structure to your life and existence. You can’t go on living like a nomad who has no relevance of time. Your body works like a clock, and to regulate it in a healthy manner, you must give it structure and routine. Specify time for work and don’t carry work in the afterhours. Have some time to play and chill with the family.
Source: Paddington BID
Exercise is different from yoga. Yoga is a form of exercise, no doubt, but it has several additional benefits that are not offered by regular cardio. Yoga strengthens your core, makes you flexible, and improves your breathing, all of which help relieve stress. Therefore, take ten to fifteen minutes in the morning to perform power yoga. You don’t need to be an expert, simply follow the videos available online or hire an online instructor.
Many people have experienced fatigue and burnout during lockdown. Contrary to popular belief, stress isn’t only caused by hectic routine and extra work hours. It is also experienced when you’re not doing anything. Your brain is a muscle and if you don’t give it a proper exercise, it will lose its strength and swiftness. Engage yourself in mind games like puzzles and chess. These games are fun to do and extremely good for the brain as well!
You need to make use of all of your senses. What do you expect will happen if you sit in one corner all day, eat garbage, and watch trashy reality shows for eight months? Of course, your mental health will go down the drain. You must get up, and engage your senses every single day. Pop bubble wraps, open a jar that is tightly closed, make quick trips to the grocery store, and just move around!
Massage becomes crucial when your body is literally on bed all day. You need to know that your body requires movement, otherwise your muscles become numb and fatigued. Therefore, treat yourself with a calming massage – use essential oils, perfumed moisturizers, etc. to make it a stress-relieving experience.
Cleaning is therapeutic. When you’re at home, you get time to focus on the chores for real. Therefore, get new cleaning supplies, allocate one room of the house every day to focus on, and this way, you’ll have something to look forward to every day. Make it a fun experience by turning up the music!
Nothing is as calming as a walk in the nature. Your body automatically feels at home when it soaks in the smell of leaves and flowers and all things nature. Thus, go for evening walks once you’re done with your office work.
Finally, none of the tricks would work if you neglect the quality of food that goes in your mouth. The health of your gut is absolutely critical as it dictates the release of hormones in your body. Try to cut sugar from your diet altogether as it ends up being stored as unhealthy fat in your body and increases weight.
We hope that these tips help in making life less miserable.