10 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO DE-STRESS DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING

The current pandemic situation has made people of almost every country to practice self-isolation or quarantine. Here, in my state too, the state government has shut down all public places and institutions. Now that the university is closed and there is not much to do in such a time in the campus, I came back home to spend some time with my family. With the ongoing situation, it is natural to feel fear and panic. The pandemic is real and frightening. Therefore, it is each person’s responsibility to ensure safety to avoid its spreading. Self-isolation is a must now for our good as well as for the good of our community. But, this distancing might make you feel low as it will disrupt your normal routine.It is very important to keep yourself emotionally balanced during these days of self-isolation.

Allow yourself to indulge in a slow life and spend more time in natural surroundings away from the crowded cities or towns. We must realize that there is still abundance of happiness that exists in life, away from people.  Even in anxious and confusing time like this, we should all be grateful for all that we have. This doesn’t mean that you are not particularly caring about those who are suffering but because we have to keep our hopes alive. Hope will bring positivity back in our self-isolated lives. And through this post I want to share a few ways to bring that positivity into our lives during such a challenging time.

Avoid watching news

Yes, you heard me right. Consume less news. Avoid checking the news minute by minute because it will just increase your anxiety. You might feel the urge to watch news and know every detail. It is important to know the facts but watching the unnecessary news pieces shall affect your emotional health. This will lead to stress, which in turn will affect your immunity and overall health. Every source of information that gets into our brain affects it even if we don’t not realize it. In hard times like this, to maintain a healthy state of mind is always good to maintain calm.So, consume only a little about of needed news and devote your time on what is important at the moment.

If you feel lonely

Just because you cannot go outside doesn’t mean you have to be socially distanced.During these times when you are physically distancing, being in your homes, you may feel bored and lonely. You can connect with people via internet, phone calls, spend time with whoever you are with. Talk and reconnect and you will see you can be happy even if you are stuck at home.Therefore, you can get out of it by connecting with your loved ones.

• Call a friend you haven’t talked for a while now.
• Remain connected via texts or video calls.
• Cook and have a family dinner together.

Keep your mind busy

It might get tough to balance your emotions while you are home all day because most people do not do. Therefore, it is important to keep your mind busy. This is the time you should get creative. Do the thing you have been thinking to do for a long time. Get your pending work down. Or start a new hobby—it can be anything.

Now you have time you always wanted, right? So, use it the best way you can.

Whilst staying in self quarantine, it’s important to understand that the pandemic will soon be over. Bad times will end. For that we need to be patient and stay home as much as we can. It is to help ourselves and support our community. The disease is contagious bringing with it fear and anxiety. But, we have to be hopeful in such distressing time.

Practice slow mornings

When we run for our classes or work we often don’t performany morning ritual. I remember I barely had time to have a proper breakfast while going for my university classes. Now, when we are at home, practice a slow morning ritual. Trust me, you will have a much productive day when you have a good morning.

• Start by waking up at a time you are comfortable but, not too late or too early.
• Drink a glass of warm water
• Meditate
• Do stretching exercises
• Do a bit of journaling
• Apply a nice face mask
• Have a nice cup of tea/coffee
• And do something that makes you feel good.

Read a book

Grab the book you have thinking to read for a long time now and start reading. Put down the motivational books and grab a fiction (no dystopian novels though!). Yes, you heard me right. Grab a fiction and let your imagination flow. They will help in making you feel better.

Sit, relax and watch your favourite tv-shows and movies

Not a fan of reading? No worries. You can also sit down and enjoy your favourite tv shows or movies. Perhaps a movie marathon once in a while will be fun. But, make sure you don’t sit in front of the screen 24/7 because it will disrupt your sleep routine and in turn, will bring in a lot more stress and anxiety.

Practice some breathing exercises

Sit down somewhere relaxing and take some deep breaths. Seems like a simple exercise, which it is, but it has many benefits. Taking deep breaths removes tension, calms your mind and de-stresses your nervous system. Do breathing exercise for at least 5 minutes a day. You can do it in your room, outside in the porch, near a window and even on your bed.

Create some wonderful content

Use this time to do something productive. Sitting idly makes the brain over think even petty issues which will only increase stress. If you have a blog, then write some content. If you are a writer then sit down and write that book you always wanted to write.Our aim is to keep our mind healthy which is possible only when we take care of what thoughts we put into it.

Declutter your space

Whether it be your desk or bed, keep it clean and tidy. A clean workspace will make you more productive and keep your mind fresh. Wash your bed sheets regularly and keep it smelling fresh.

Take care of yourself and those around you

You might feel overwhelmed with whatever is happening around you. But, take out time to care for yourself. Do something that makes you feel good. I am doing a simple but extensive skin care ritual, also doing some face and body massages. This is an individual choice on how you take care of yourself. Care for your loved ones around you. Eat healthy and keep yourself hydrated. Stay away from rumours and believe that things will be alright again.

In the end, I urge you to stay calm, say positive affirmations, believe in the good, care for yourself and others.

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Thanks for stopping by.

Xoxo.