The current pandemic has forced many of us into our homes without the regular people interaction we usually receive on a daily basis. Due to this reason, it’s ordinary and reasonable to feel slightly isolated, worried and maybe a little depressed. And that’s okay because you are not alone. 

However, it’s essential not to let these feelings get the better of you. The coronavirus pandemic is an extensive traumatic experience that the entire world is experiencing. The constant worry about our loved ones and the collapse of the economy are most certainly thoughts that are hard to shake off. For this reason, it’s paramount to remember that you are not the only one and more importantly, not the only person going through this. As we have seen over the past few curtail weeks, there has been an enormous national effort trying to do all that can be done to make things right again.

Concerning the teachings and learning of Physiology, isolation and passivity are thought to be the perfect combination that triggers the feelings of depressed. In most cases, over the past few weeks, we have all woken up feeling worried, apprehensive, anxious and depressed. Not only due to the current pandemic but with the feeling of total isolation. With this in mind, it’s essential to carry out some self-care. Here’s a look at a few tips to help your mind, soul and body during these challenging times. 

Normalise your feelings- The notion of feeling anxious, overwhelmed, helpless and afraid are traditional emotions, especially when dealing with trauma. However, we are constantly reminded to feel happy that we often forget that unhappy is also normal. We often think we do have the capacity to tolerate our unpleasant feelings and emotions. Because of this reason, we feel as if we should be coping better. We feel bad about feeling bad, and these emotions are then tucked away and carried around in our minds and bodies. Going through the current pandemic can be classed as a trauma, without the uncertainty of not knowing what going to happen.

For this reason, its vital to understand your emotions and what you are feeling so you can control them instead of letting them get the better of you. Carrying out breathing exercises during the day and practising mindfulness is a great way to relieve your mind and body of stress and tension. Do things that will make you feel better and focus on the things you do have control over in your life. This will help you feel more stable and in control of your emotions.

Reaching out to your friends and family- Although there is a contradiction between using technology and helping to relax your mind, We must consider how limited our options are at the moment. The danger of meeting up with other socially is too high to be risked. For this reason, using technology such as smartphones can help us stay connected without putting yourselves and others in danger. Just because we are safely tucked away in our homes, it does not mean we are shut off from the outside world. Think about who you would like to keep in contact with and make a list of names. Spend your time dring the pandemic at home to connect and spend time with them over the phone via video call or normally. Touching base with loved ones, connecting via email, text or is a great way to help reduce stress and pressure. There are many video calling services that are available to use, which can help you interact with loved ones such as Skype and Zoom, who offer an excellent service. 

Eating the right foods and exercising- A lack of movement in your home is vital, not just for your body but also for your mind. Many fitness apps have responded positively to the pandemic by offering extended free trials such as Nike Training Club. The app has a vast library of exercise classes and workout sessions that users you can do in the comfort of their own homes or spaces such as outside in parks. Many Yoga apps are also free to download to your smartphone or tablet, which is excellent as it can help you get moving and get you endorphins flowing, making you feel better. Controlling what you eat is imperative. Stress eating often causes many to overindulge in junk food. We end up consuming foods that aren’t particularly good for us. Planning meals is a great way to avoid eating junk food and helps you stick to a healthy diet. Keeping to this diet is excellent for your mind and your body. There are numerous free apps available that can help you use up some of the ingredients that you might have tucked away at the back of your cupboards and fridges, use this time to get inventive and creative with your cooking.

Schedule daily activities- the change in our daily routines is one of the biggest disruptions the pandemic has delivered. The time that would have been spent at work or commuting is now being spent at home. Like many, it can be hard to stay motivated and especially in situations like this, and procrastination can be harmful. To avoid this, create a list of activities to do to keep your mind occupied, which can help control your emotions by helping you stay optimistic. Scheduling things into your daily routine enables you to build a new sense of normality back into your life. Make sure each activity in your day holds a purpose, and by completing activities on your list, it gives you a sense of accomplishment.