Given the amount of stress everyone is facing right now, as a key worker still heading to work in this dangerous times; as someone newly getting used to working from home and living under restrictions barring them from leaving the house; or someone dealing with the additional childcare as schools have closed, it’s well worth looking into simple things you can do to boost your sense of wellbeing. Small, practical acts of self-care that can keep you feeling well, even as these stresses crowd in on your mind and body.
Drinking Water
Any disruption to your routine has knock on effects. If the working day you’ve built in the office reminded you to regularly drink water, you might find that at home, with a very different set up and missing the colleagues and meetings that make your routine, you don’t drink as much.
Dehydration can lead to headaches, difficulty concentrating, and a feeling of ‘mental fog’. In advanced cases it can progress to confusion and even unconsciousness. While you’re unlikely to become that dehydrated in the course of an ordinary working day, and don’t need to learn how to rehydrate fast like a marathon runner at the height of summer, it’s still worth setting reminders to ensure you drink around two litres of water a day.
The Effect of Inactivity
While exercise shouldn’t replace a visit to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental health, the enforced inactivity of our currently restricted lives can leave you feeling run down and lethargic.
That being the case, it could be worthwhile finding an exercise routine you can still enjoy when you’re under lockdown conditions. The internet abounds with exercise routines you can try at home, using minimal equipment. If you don’t normally exercise, this could be a great way to try out different things and see what works for you!
Running is another good option, requiring little in the way of specialist equipment. It’s also something you can practice safely alone! Even a moderate jog, at the earliest stages of a couch to 5k plan can get you out of the house, increase your heart rate and stimulate the production of endorphins, helping you feel better.
A Social Balance
One of the biggest challenges with our current lockdown situation is that we’re cut off from our friends and family. Video conferencing apps are struggling to bear the weight of all the conversations we’re having, but they’re not a perfect substitute.
Quiz leagues, games and dinner parties are all being played out online, but you may find you go from being socially isolated to burned out! You don’t have to say yes to every invitation – make sure you have the time you need for yourself. If you need to recharge with some solitary time, take that time, and care for yourself!
