As COVID-19 forces us to stay home in order to protect each other, for some of us, the isolation may start to trigger anxiety or restlessness.
Waking up in the morning can be a gloomy affair if you don’t have any plan for the day and can be stressful if you’re unsure of what to expect.
That’s why we’ve listed a few ways to keep your sanity in check during the pandemic.
1. Make a daily schedule that includes your standard activities.
We know how it sounds but, having a schedule that maps out your day is one way to keep sane. It is especially good for those of us who have started working from home for the first time! So, get up, take a shower, have breakfast and plan your day!
Read, do some yoga in the morning, clean your pantries that have not seen a rag for a while and go for a walk in the afternoon. In the evening, binge-watch that TV show you heard your friends talk about relentlessly! If you have kids (or not), some museums opened their virtual doors so you can visit and learn from the comfort of your home!
Add structure to your routine, your mind will thank you for it!
2. Dress up in the morning, just as if you were going to work.
Pajamas all day can be fun for a few days, but it can affect your morale in the long run. If you work remotely, getting dressed as usual will encourage you to work effectively and be productive.
3. Keep in touch with loved ones.
Talk to friends and family over the phone and through videoconferencing. Now more than ever, it is good to have a social support system to help keep your sanity in check! And because work is not only about work, have a chat with your coworkers, have lunch “together” or have a “meeting” over the Internet.
4. Don’t be glued to the news all day.
We all want to know what happens and when it will all be over. However, being in front of the news non-stop can make you anxious over time. Try to limit yourself to monitoring the situation a couple of times a day versus all day, every day. Also, beware of inaccurate content online and instead, make sure you’re staying informed through trusted sources such as government sites.
5. Stay in shape by finding ways to exercise at home.
There are tons of videos available on the Internet that can help keep you in shape! Relax, go for a walk, do some yoga or meditation, take time for yourself! The stress will melt away … at least for a while!
And you? How are you keeping sane?