July 9th, 2020 Writer: Misheal Saah Editor: Lucy Hur Misc
As the majority of the people are living through these tough times, you might have found yourself wondering how to cope with the sudden changes to your lifestyle, possible health concerns that may affect you and your family, as well as how your education will be affected from now on. During the pandemic, one of the most important things you should keep in mind is to take care of your mental health to keep yourself in good standing, despite the current circumstances. Here are a few tips to help you through this difficult time.
1. SET UP A DAILY ROUTINE AND STICK TO IT
For many of us who are stuck at home, it becomes hard to conform to a new routine that differs a lot from the daily routine you are used to . To remain stable, and on top of yourself during this pandemic it’s best to set up a daily routine that you will stick to throughout. Make sure to set up alarms and reminders for certain classes and meetings you have to attend to on a regular basis but also leave yourself time for self-care (face masks, reading, music, painting, etc…), things that make you happy, as well as a new hobby or activity you’ve always wanted to try out . Having structure is very important to ensure that you feel somewhat organized and caught up with your daily plans.
2. TRY GETTING SOME FRESH AIR ONCE IN A WHILE
If you live in a home with a backyard or a patio area, take advantage of it by spending a few minutes outside each day. It will help you relax you and introduces you to a new environment outside of the one you’ve been locked in. For those of you who may not have an outdoor living area, even opening up your window can be helpful Not only will you be able to get a fresh breath of air, but it’ll also help distract you from the burden of having to stay indoors -- it’s an instant mood changer!
3. IF YOU HAVE WAYS TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH FRIENDS VIRTUALLY, DO IT!
No matter what, you still need a social outlet: people you can talk to, to get your mind off of things. Whether it is through Facetime, Skype, Zoom, or even just through text to stay connected with friends, try to set up a time to be engaged in your relationships. In addition, don’t be afraid to share your concerns, thoughts, and struggles if you are ever in need of support and comfort. It’s always important to not keep everything to yourself because it will only increase the burden you may be feeling going through this pandemic.
4. GET OFF YOUR PHONE!
Yes, this is ironic considering the previous point. As good as it is to stay connected virtually, it’s also important to get off of social media at times. Everything is all about COVID-19 right now and the health concern it poses. All of this may induce excessive fear in you and may contribute to a negative mindset. Unplug for a while and stay positive.
5. EXERCISE OR ANYTHING THAT GETS YOU MOVING AND EAT WELL
No, you don’t have to do a full workout routine. Anything that can get you moving and active is acceptable here -- whether it’s walking around the house, cleaning, dancing, or any light workout routine from YouTube that you know you can do regularly ). Most importantly, whatever exercise you choose to stick to, don’t be too hard on yourself. Having high expectations can only hurt you. So if for whatever reason you can’t finish a certain exercise one day, remember that it’s okay and you still tried being active.
Your diet is also very important during this pandemic. Stick to a healthy diet, don’t consume junk food constantly but also remind yourself that it's okay to cheat a little. Treat yourself once in a while but make sure you do it with self-control. If you are going out to eat, try out some local businesses, since they tend to struggle with profit during this crisis. And most importantly, STAY HYDRATED.
Most importantly, keep yourself and those around you safe. You will get through this! For more information on maintaining safety guidelines visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
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