We all can witness the continuous events of Covid unfurl, and also various other dangerous variants on rise and spreading super fast, it is very likely to feel the stress and to panic sometimes.
The news keep coming in and most of the information can be overwhelming and scary. You may have anxiety and fear due to a lot of issues such as dealing with at-risk family members or patients, trying to keep kids occupied while being indoors all day, managing to get work done while at home, or simply adjusting to the new scary situation. With the passage of time, the stress can build up and affect you both physically and mentally.
In this blog, we are going to discuss few ways of managing stress around the outbreak and ways to having a positive mindset towards our surrounding.
Coronavirus: What is it?
Coronaviruses belong to a large family of viruses that can cause several illnesses in animals. They have leapt to humans and mostly cause common-cold like symptoms. Coronaviruses also lead to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Originally, civet cats were the source of SARS transmitted to humans and the MERS came from a type of camel. Several other coronaviruses are circulating in animals but haven’t affected humans yet.
Coronavirus gets its name from “Corona” – a Latin word that means crown or halo. Besides, when the virus is observed from under an electron microscope, it looks like a solar corona. The novel coronavirus was identified by Chinese authorities on January 7, 2020. The respiratory illness caused by the new Coronavirus is called COVID-19. It is a new strain of the virus that hadn’t been earlier identified in humans. More information about the virus is yet to be discovered, but it has been confirmed that the virus can transmit among humans.
The standard recommendations to prevent the spreading of the virus including washing hands regularly, covering mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing, cooking meat and eggs thoroughly. It is also better to avoid close contact with anyone showing signs of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
How to deal with the stress? Let’s find out-
Take a Break in between
The never ending Covid negative news can be a lot to handle. Decide the amount of news you wish to consume. Especially if there are children around you, make sure you expose them to the least number of negative news. Stop reading WhatsApp forwards and any baseless news and information regarding corona. To relax your mind and to keep yourself busy, play puzzles, read some good books, reorganize or clean your room instead. Your main aim should be diverting your mind from corona related news and articles.
Excessive stress can cause overeating or unhealthy eating habits, which will adversely affect your metabolism and also your health. Avoid unnecessary eating by identifying trigger factors and finding ways and means for keeping yourself away from the urge or cravings of eating. Keep healthy snacks around you such as fruits,juice, nuts or even granola bars. Keeping your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day helps regulate your mood and emotions. Good nutrition also keeps your immune system healthy. Great immune system means great mental health.
Be very vigilant and follow the precautions and prevention that have been advised. Keep your house clean and sanitize hard surfaces as often as possible. Make sure you to clean yourself daily and to maintain a personal hygiene routine.
Offer a helping hand to people whenever possible
If you need help in terms of buying groceries and medicines from outside, you should definitely seek help from your family or friends. At the same time, if you are stepping out, you can take a list of errands from elderly or sick people who cannot get out. Helping people out gives you a sense of fulfillment and calms the restless mind.
Binge-watch shows on Netflix or on television. Make yourself comfortable and prepare yourself to spend few hours of your life to view a movie or series. If you have kids at home, play Disney and other animated movies, keeping them occupied and engaged. If you are not fond of watching movies or series, pick up a hobby like growing plants or flowers or try out new recipes and curate something. This is the best time to experiment with baking. Be creative and start with a basic recipe to discover a possible hidden talent in you! You can even pick up multiplayer games on apps such as House party that allow you to video conference with friends and play simple online games such as Mobile legends, Trivia quizzes etc. This way you’ll get some Face time with your friends and stay occupied.
- You don’t need to go out to the gym for exercises. Aerobic or Cardio exercises can be done within the comfort zone of your home or the compound of your house, such as walking, running or climbing stairs. Even playing with your kids or pets can help burn off some calories and keep your mind fresh.
- Exercising helps release endorphins within your system, which play a vital role in elevating your mood and keeping a positive attitude. Stretching exercises and yoga also help keep you fit and your mind calm. Subscribe to easy-to-follow YouTube videos or fitness and wellness websites for simple exercise regimens to do at home.
Being at home all day may inspire you to re-organize your wardrobe or entire house. Taking up a small project at a time and completing it can give you a sense of achievement. This can also bring some changes that you may have always wanted, but didn’t have the time for.
During these times of uncertainty, it is essential to connect with your near and dear ones. Being in isolation can lead to stress and depression. Reach out to family, friends, and colleagues regularly through phone calls, messages or video calls. Check on those who are living alone and the elderly members of your family. It also helps to rationalize your fears and be informed on how they have been.
It is okay to panic sometimes because of what you have been hearing and seeing all the time but make sure to remain positive(not covid positive) in your outlook and fight the virus. If you keep yourself positive, you will have a healthy mind and your body will be well prepared for the virus. If you let negativity rule over your mind and body, it will only cost yoe u your peace of mind and health.