Many people around the world deal with social isolation on a daily basis. This increase in anxiety can lead to even the most resilient among us to struggle with our mental health. Here are six ways to help keep those anxiety levels low while maintaining social distance.
Limit News Intake
It may feel like every news channel is spouting the same message: death, fear, and panic. While it is essential to know what is going on in the 'outside' world, it is equally important not to overload the mind with constant negativity.
Limit the amount of time spent catching up on the news. Turn the news channel off and avoid reading these articles where possible. Set time aside each day to catch up and then move on from this as living in the news channels can be a terrifying experience for many and the bad start to a downward cycle.
Stay Connected
With all the technology that is available nowadays, self-isolation doesn't need to be self-isolating. From Facetime to Skype and Whatsapp to Google+ hangouts, apps and services are abundant out there that connect us with the people we love. Make use of this technology to limit physical contact while still communicating and not feeling alone.
Create a Routine
A healthy mind loves routine. Whether it be a plan for a morning coffee with breakfast to watching that mid-morning show every day, creating a sense of structure aides the feeling of control. When there is a feeling of helplessness, anxiety levels can increase. Control what you can control, and one of those things is what your day looks like while in self-isolation.
Activities to Keep the Mind Occupied
Often we hear people complain that they never have enough time to do everything. How they'd love to learn a new language or skill. Well now is the time. Thanks to the internet, we have access to hundreds of thousands of skills that can be learned quickly from the comfort of our homes. What's fantastic is that many of them are free. Head over to Youtube and have a browse of what is available. Not only will this keep the mind occupied, but it will create a level of satisfaction that can only be achieved by learning something new.
Work it Out
It's no secret that exercise creates a healthy mind. With exercise, the body releases endorphins that can relieve stress levels and anxiety, so it is a natural method of medicine for the soul. Some people may have different levels of ability when it comes to working out, and that is OK. Again, with websites like Youtube and Les Mills, there is something for everyone, from making an at-home gym with household items to a nice, relaxing yoga workout, this is sure to create some positive vibes.
You are What you Eat
It's such a common phrase 'you are what you eat', but it is so true. In times of a prolonged lockdown, it can be far too easy to sit and ponder life while munching on some junk food, but in the long run, we are going to regret those choices. Some treats in moderation are great, but vast quantities over long periods can lead to feeling sluggish, not to mention the long term impact on our health. Make use of this extra time to enhance those cooking skills.
It's natural to be worried when spending time cut off from the outside world; however, maintaining good mental health is just as important as maintaining good physical health. Following these tips should allow anxiety levels to be kept to a minimum, from eating better and working out to stemming your flow of negative news and reaching out to family members using technology. All of these steps will help.
