As the coronavirus pandemic rapidly sweeps across the world, it is inducing a considerable degree of fear, worry and concern in the population at large and among certain groups in particular, such as older adults, care providers and people with underlying health conditions.
In public mental health terms, the main psychological impact to date is elevated rates of stress or anxiety. But as new measures and impacts are introduced – especially quarantine and its effects on many people’s usual activities, routines or livelihoods – levels of loneliness, depression, harmful alcohol and drug use, and self-harm or suicidal behaviour are also expected to rise.
Covid can be a positive experience if you look at it from a different perspective. Use this time to reflect and connect with yourself and others. Lockdown forces us to slow down and focus on what's important. Connect with the people you love and let's work together as a community to get through this challenging time.
Remember this will pass and things will go back to normality. It's what we do during this time that will shape similar situations in the future. We must slow our hectic lives down, so we can fully immerse ourselves in our everyday. To live mindfully and be present, and not in live in the past or in the future.
5 Tips to stay sane.
Stay active. If you can't get to the gym or studio, find a motivating exercise video to move your body. If motivation is the problem, get a friend or family member to part take. You can motivate each other. Exercise releases happy hormones, ( endorphins.)
Get outside and get fresh air and plenty of sunlight on the skin. This will help increase your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is known to be a mood elevator and an immune booster. It doesn't hurt to get more Vitamin D from a supplement. Make sure to get out amongst nature or by the water.
Eat food that is nutritionally dense and is in it's natural form. Avoid processed packaged foods which are high in artificial chemicals, that are foreign to the body. These play havoc on the liver, affecting your mood. A unhealthy liver, can lead to low energy, brain fog and make you feel sluggish and demotivated. Eat plenty of vegetables and foods high in dietary fibre to keep your gut bugs happy. Happy bugs happy mood. Also cut out sugars in all forms including fruit as these compromise the immune system and affect your bugs and liver.
Stay busy. Find things to do which you enjoy, ie. research your favourite subject. Find your highest values and live them everyday. You know what you love to do because you gravitate to it on your spare time. Use this time wisely to catch up on things that you don't get time to do.
Avoid doing what you least love to do. Get back to the chores when you're feeling more up lifted and motivated. Don't feel obligated to do what doesn't serve you. It's ok to say no, from time to time.
