During social isolation, we have that feeling that each day is similar to the one before. Not going out can generate sadness and cause stress or anguish; We feel mistrust towards others and also, being alone or with the family 24 hours a day can be suffocating.
The outlook is bleak and the data suggests that more people are suffering from well-known disorders such as anxiety, stress, anguish, and other relatively new ones such as cabin syndrome, or fear (even irrational) of leaving the house.
In addition, the lack of sleep is a constant among many people and that sedentary lifestyle, imposed or voluntary due to the rise of technology as a tool for work, study and leisure, is generating health problems (posture, back, head, etc.) even in younger patients.
But then how can we make this new normal more bearable? Although the isolation measures have been relaxed and despite knowing that one day we will return to normalcy as before, it is a fact that we must continue to take care of ourselves and those around us.
For this reason, it is best to include in our routines practices that help us minimize the probability of suffering from mental and physical illnesses:
Little recipe against stress and anxiety
Both disorders can appear to a lesser or greater extent and when the latter happens, it is best to go to professionals for help; Today there is no excuse to do so as many of them have turned social media into their practice. Now, if symptoms are mild, these tips always work:
- Breathe: inhale from the stomach and exhale, taking all the air out of the lungs; Performing this mindful practice several times a day helps to bring us to the present moment, to relax the body and mind.
- Relax: saying it seems abstract and complicated, but achieving it is possible with breathing techniques and meditation. If you are not into these activities, practice your favorite physical activity at home, you will see how it improves your mood and quality of sleep.
- Don't give up your hobbies: did you use to go horse riding or swimming? Okay, maybe you can't do those activities right now, but maybe you can keep reading those crime novels that you like so much. Try to keep doing the things that move you or discover others that you may have never tried (painting, gardening, etc.).
- Speak: whether alone or with someone, speak; doing so is always positive therapy. If you live alone, take advantage of technology to communicate with others, if you are with your family, get closer to the person you trust the most.
- Keep a positive mindset: This cliche phrase is more relevant today than ever. Think that "this too will pass" and remember all the good things you have today: work, family, friends, a home, etc.
- Create routines: being at home is not synonymous with disorder, organize your days with work schedules, leisure, physical activity, rest, etc.
- Practice sleep hygiene: following the above, limit your sleep times to, limit the use of social media at bedtime and please, do not work in bed ... Better to follow good practices to do Home Office.
- Approach the news with moderation: verify the information that comes to you, do not spend a lot of time watching the news or talking all day about negative topics.
- Eat well: do not abuse ordering food and cook at home as a relaxing activity to do alone or as a family.
- Accept your feelings (and name them): in recent years we have tended to put other feelings such as anxiety, anguish, sadness, depression or worry in the stress bag; however, although they share similar symptoms, they are different and you have to learn to identify them in order to accept and manage them.
Denying them will only take longer to identify or overcome them, so it is better to know what you feel and know the level of that feeling since, if it is very strong, you may need to seek professional need help.
Although the external conditions are adverse, you wellbeing also depends on you, remember that only your mind can help you overcome and cope with the complicated moments that we are all living.