As we navigate through the unprecedented times of COVID-19, more and more of us are making huge changes to our daily routines.
The new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other family members, friends and colleagues take time to get used to. Adapting to lifestyle changes such as these, and managing the fear of contracting the virus and worry about people close to us who are particularly vulnerable, are challenging for all of us. They can be particularly difficult for people with mental health conditions. Fortunately, there are lots of things that we can do to look after our own mental health and to help others who may need some extra support and care.
Here are tips and advice that we hope you will find useful.
- Take a break from the news
While it’s important to keep informed and listen to advice and recommendations from national and local authorities, information overload can be upsetting. Make an effort to switch off your screens once in a while. Try to reduce how much you watch, read or listen to news that makes you feel anxious or distressed. Seek the latest information at specific times of the day, once or twice a day if needed.
- Take care of your body
Meditate, eat well-balanced meals, take deep breaths. Aside from staying safe, stay healthy. Eating a healthy diet is very important during the COVID-19 pandemic. What we eat and drink can affect our body’s ability to prevent, fight and recover from infections.
While no foods or dietary supplements can prevent or cure COVID-19 infection, healthy diets are important for supporting immune systems. Good nutrition can also reduce the likelihood of developing other health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.
The COVID-19 pandemic means that many of us are staying at home and sitting down more than we usually do. It’s hard for a lot of us to do the sort of exercise we normally do. It’s even harder for people who don’t usually do a lot of physical exercise. But at a time like this, it’s very important for people of all ages and abilities to be as active as possible.
Remember - Just taking a short break from sitting, by doing 3-4 minutes of light intensity physical movement, such as walking or stretching, will help ease your muscles and improve blood circulation and muscle activity.
- Make time to unwind
Use a few minutes of your day to do something you enjoy. Here are some things you could try:
- Learn a language
- Take an online course
- Listen to a podcast
- Read
- Take up a new hobby
- Make a bucket list
- Connect with others
Talk to people you trust about your concerns and how you're feeling. Social contact is important. If your movements are restricted, keep in regular contact with people close to you by telephone and online. Take opportunities online or through your community to thank your country’s healthcare workers and all those working to respond to COVID-19. If you are able to, offer support to people in your community who may need it, such as helping them with food shopping.
The COVID-19 situation may be overwhelming, but coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger #StopTheSpread
Source: World Health Organisation