As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month this May, during one of
the biggest global crises in recent years, it is especially important to
reflect upon mental health and well-being.
Taking care of your mental health, as well as the mental well-being of your loved ones, is paramount to stay optimistic and hopeful
during these uncertain times.
Occasionally, feeling stressed and emotionally overwhelmed are
quite reasonable responses, especially during these trying times given the
ongoing pandemic. Still, we hope that sharing the self-care routine
below; we can help you to stay resilient, persevere and overcome any negative
emotions.
Express gratitude
Being mindful of your blessings and being grateful is one of the
simplest ways to stay optimistic. Try to find something that you are thankful
for each day; you can count on the everyday taken-for-granted things like
having the company of your loved ones during quarantine or having access to
clean drinking water. Try to reflect on this sense of gratitude twice a day,
thinking about what you are grateful for every morning and at night. Keeping a
gratitude journal is an excellent practice so that you can remind yourself not
to take things for granted.
Staying connected
It is important to remember that social distancing does not
equate to complete social isolation. Staying connected to your friends and
family over the phone or via the internet and social media is a great way to
boost your mood. Thanks to apps like
Google Meet, Zoom, and Houseparty, we are lucky to be able to catch up with our
friends and loved ones from the safety of our homes. Speaking with a close
friend and sharing your thoughts and feelings over the phone can change your
mood for the better.
Keep moving
Exercise has immense benefits for both your physical and
mental well-being. Research shows that exercising makes us more resilient
people! Try to commit yourself to an at-home workout routine of at least three
times a week. Whether it’s a simple stretch, yoga, or Pilates, any workout that
pumps your heart rate up will release those much needed feel-good hormones.
Once you incorporate these workouts into your weekly routine, your future self
will thank you for this.
Boost your immune system
Nutrition is key to boosting your immune system when trying
to stay healthy, regardless of whether there is an ongoing pandemic. You may be
drawn towards binge eating or overindulging, especially under the circumstances.
Still, it is crucial to focus on maintaining healthy eating habits and to avoid
eating as a response to stress. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables in your
everyday meals and stock up on healthy snacks. Try not to be too hard on
yourself if you are not able to do so. If possible, get a dose of vitamin D by
spending some time out in the morning sun, which has been known to have a significant
impact on both mental and physical health.
Spread kindness
Nowadays, being kind to one another, being more
compassionate and showing solidarity is what the world needs. Many people
around the globe are experiencing hard times, losing loved ones, jobs and
struggling to make ends meet. Doing a small act of kindness for someone can
make you instantly happier. Go forth and spread kindness today as this will be
the perfect mood booster for not just you but those around you. Be the ray of
sunshine to someone else’s cloud.
Meditation
It can be hard to control the racing mind and anxious
thoughts with what is going around us in the world right now. Research has shown meditation and practicing mindfulness
as an effective way to calm the racing mind and to help with anxiety. Harvard
health mentioned that mindfulness-based stress reduction programs helped quell
anxiety symptoms in people with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a
conditioned hard to control worries, poor sleep and irritability. If you are a
beginner, try guided meditation with an app like Headspace.
Quick Tip: Try 4,7,8 breathing technique or practice alternate nostril breathing
Stick to a Routine
Never underestimate the power of sticking to a routine, especially challenging times like this when you may not feel up for it. Having discipline like waking up at the same time every day, eating your meals on a specific time could do wonders for your mental as well as your physical health on a large scale. As we work from home, you might crave to sleep longer, indulge in binge-watching and other unhealthy habits. Try sticking to a routine instead, and see how your motivation and productivity unfolds. Planning out your day in advance is a terrific way to start.
Most importantly, remember that this too shall pass! We are all in this together!
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #Weareinthistogether
#Staypositive #Staystrong