Stargazer Maintaining Mental Health During Covid-19

Confronted with huge change, the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, and months of quarantining are enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed, worried, and anxious. With so much on our plate, it has become increasingly harder to make our mental health a top priority. 

Now, more than ever, it's crucial to nurture and maintain a healthy state of mental well-being. Firstly, remember you’re not alone. We are all in this together. So, stay calm, take a deep breath, and follow the below steps to make your mental and emotional well-being a number one priority:

Cut Back On News and Social Media but Stay Informed

It’s important to stay informed of what’s happening in your country but it’s also easy to spiral into a state of panic or fear when you are constantly checking sites, social media, and links from your friends or family. So much information out there is incorrect and can be truly worrisome. Be sure to only check reputable sites and limit it to once or twice a day for 5-10 minute increments.

Stay Connected with Loved Ones

Chatting to your “tribe” can help cultivate a sense of normality and provide an outlet for sharing feelings that will aid in stress relief. At the same time, be there for your loved ones too. Listen to how they are feeling, send food parcels, go to the drugstore for an elderly relative, helping others is a wonderful way to channel your energy and relieve your own stress too.

Create and Stick to Routines

When juggling remote working and homeschooling, it's easy for routine to go out of the window. However, try to follow the same schedule every weekday. Wake up at the same time, have breakfast, start work, and try to go to bed at the same time each evening. Also make sure you schedule time for exercise, self-care, and relaxing too. Focusing on things that are in your control can help alleviate stress levels.

Keep Yourself Occupied 

Perhaps you don't have kids and work is slow during this time. If you find yourself with a lot of time on your hands, do things that you haven't had the chance to do before. Maybe it’s finally watching that documentary series, taking an online class, or perfecting the art of baking sourdough bread? Many art galleries, museums, and operas are also offering free virtual tours, plus many musicians and bands are sharing free live-streamed concerts and music events. 

Make Nutritious Food Choices

Fuel your body with good, healthy foods. While additional stress may have you reaching for the extra-large tube of Pringles, try to opt for wholesome and nutritious meals whenever you can. Eating high-fat and high-sugar foods may result in instant gratification but once your blood sugar spikes you’ll come crashing down, leaving you feeling lethargic and irritable. Get cooking with your kids and make it a family affair, and stock up on healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, nuts, and health bars.

Get Moving Everyday 

While helping to keep you fit and healthy, it’s no secret physical activity also works wonders for your emotional health. Yes, exercise produces good-for-you stress-relieving endorphins, and as little as ten minutes a day can reap the well-being benefits. Stretch, do an online pilates class, play a game with your kids outside, or take your four-legged friends for a trot around the block.

Check-In with Yourself

It may be a good idea to keep a journal during this time, take note of how you are feeling and when you feel your best and your lowest. Write down what you are thankful for and put your feelings and emotions on paper. Writing down positive affirmations when you wake up can also be a very powerful way to foster a positive mindset for the day ahead. 

Remember, if you feel like you cannot get a handle on maintaining your mental health and your levels of stress and anxiety are out of control, make an appointment to visit (or Zoom) with a trained healthcare professional as soon as possible. 

For updates on COVID-19 visit, www.who.int or www.cdc.gov.

Surrounded by all this uncertainty, your retirement plan should always remain a reliable constant. Call BlueStar at 904.273.5220 or email Service@BlueStarRetirement.com.