It can be stressful being cooped up, surrounded by four
walls for days. During this time, there may be a plethora of stressors in your
life; your job, schoolwork, meetings, or even being around the same people all
the time. While you may have good relationships with your family or who you’re
quarantined with, you will inevitably find yourself missing the faces of those
you cannot be with. While adjusting to this new lifestyle of social distancing,
it is important that we practice self-care and stay in tune with our mental
health. Below are my top seven tips to help you cope with any stressors you may
be encountering right now. These techniques can be used anytime you feel like
you need to canter yourself.
Mindfulness & Breathing
When you feel the need to center
yourself, a great way to do this is through breathing exercises and meditation.
Oftentimes, people opt to use a guided method for breathing and meditation.
Some places to find these are the app store or YouTube videos. You can also
practice them on your own with techniques such as square breathing: breath in
for four seconds, hold for four seconds, breathe out for four seconds, and hold
that for four seconds, and repeat.
Change of Environment
Even though we are quarantined,
for now, you can do plenty of things to change up your everyday space. By
simply cleaning, diffusing essential oils, lighting a candle, or even
rearranging your furniture. You can make a familiar space feel different. Fill
the air with a new scent, put on some relaxing music (I enjoy classically), and
set the lighting just right, and you will feel like you are in an oasis. Just
because you are in the same place most of the time does not mean you have to
feel trapped.
Feed The Soul
Do things that can stimulate your
mind and make you feel enriched. These can include journaling/writing,
listening to music, calling loved ones, gardening, cooking/baking, etc. Some of
these examples will suit you, but do what makes you feel the best.
Freshen Up
With nowhere to go, many of us
will find ourselves kicking it back in the same pair of sweatpants every day.
However, something as small as changing into nice day clothes and fixing up
your hair can boost your mood substantially. A change of clothes can translate
into a productive state of mind.
Take a Break from the Media
Right now, we are constantly
being inundated with news surrounding the pandemic. It is easy to get consumed
and find that your mood has been a little deflated. While staying up to date is
important, it is also important to step away and give your mind a break from
worry. Television, phones, and anything with internet access can interrupt your
mental space when trying to escape the media. Instead of getting sucked into
that trap, go pet your dog or cat, paint or draw, or just get some fresh air.
Maintain Your Routine
It is easy to neglect healthy sleeping, eating, and exercise habits when it feels like your life has been turned upside down. It is encouraged that you keep up with your usual wellness routines because this can really help you feel a sense of normalcy again.
Reach Out
Lucky for us, we live in a time
where we can access professional help when we need it most. When you need
someone to talk to, want to work on your coping skills, and/or just have a
supporter, you can always reach out to a therapist or counselor. At LighthouseMental Health Counseling Services, we have implemented Telehealth services. You
can meet with a therapist in the comfort of your own home. Contact us to get
more information.
Implementing these practices in
your life, even when this pandemic is over, can be very beneficial. You can
mold these suggestions to your lifestyle and find practices and activities that
suit you best!
