No one expects a pandemic. Millions of people around the world are still in quarantine. It also looks like we’ll continue to stay in isolation for the coming weeks, if not longer. Quarantine may be advised or required to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to live under these circumstances. Staying home all the time can increase your stress levels.
Healthy tips to help you ease stress during quarantine
Managing and lowering stress is crucial for a healthy life. High-stress levels can cause additional problems like leaky gut, sleep complications, and more. Thankfully, there are many ways you can ease stress during quarantine. Use any combination of these tips and tricks to:
- stay healthy
- keep your stress low
- make the most of your time during quarantine
Stay Informed, But Take Breaks
It’s essential you’re up to date on critical issues and events. But living in the news all day takes a severe toll on your well being. Set a news schedule for yourself where you can check in with current events. It’ll help you stay informed without drowning yourself in stress-inducing news. The same rule applies to social media. Many social media platforms have never been more toxic or polarizing. It’s not a good idea to spend most of your day on those platforms. Being informed is critical, but take breaks, so you don’t overwhelm yourself with information and stress.
Take A Walk
Staying cooped up inside your house all the time is bound to drive anyone stir crazy after a certain point. Escaping your home from time to time is key to keeping yourself sane during quarantine. Studies have shown that spending 10 minutes outside has helped college students lessen the mental and physical effects of stress. Take a walk around your neighborhood, go to a hiking trail, or just enjoy your local park. You can enjoy nature, get out of your house as long as you follow your local health orders or recommendations.
Quality Family Time
If you are quarantining at home, chances are the rest of your family is staying home too. Now is the perfect time to spend time together as a family now that you are all in the same house together. Work and school have primarily switched to remote solutions. Once responsibilities are done for the day, take advantage of the time you have together. Whether you:
- watch a movie together
- cook dinner as a family
- do a physical activity together
Spending quality time together as a family is an excellent way to bond and relieve stress.
Clean House
If you’re spending most of your time in your house, you don’t want to be surrounded by messes. Living in a messy or disorganized environment adds to your stress. It creates distractions that make focusing on other tasks harder. You don’t want distractions like dirty dishes or toys strewn about whilst trying to work. Put on some music, light a burning candle with relaxing smells and wax dyes, and tidy up your house to create an organized environment. It’ll foster calm, balance, and relaxation instead of disorder.
Stay Connected
Even though we’re social distancing, that doesn’t mean you can’t socialize. Use video calls to see your friends and coworkers. If you don’t have access to video chat, even regular phone calls can help you feel connected to your social circle without leaving your house. You can also meet up with a friend in a park and observe your local health recommendations to have a chat in person. Socializing is essential for maintaining good mental health and reducing stress, so make safely socializing a priority.
Stay Grounded
Socializing helps you stay connected and grounded. Another easy way to stay level and reduce stress is to start a journal. Write down good things that happened during your day, celebrate the positive, and remain grateful for the good things in your life. Letting out your thoughts and expressing gratitude in a personal journal has been shown to improve mental health and reduce stress. In a world that often focuses on the negative, taking the time to focus on the positives in your life can provide a world of benefits.
Quarantining is different from our typical routines. Actively take steps to reduce your stress:
- take breaks from social media and the news
- take a walk outside
- spend quality time with your family
- clean your house
- safely socialize
Stay grounded to lower your stress levels and stay sane during the quarantine.
Author Bio: Gwen Lewis is a writer, and makeup artist, based in Southern California. Because of her passion for beauty and health, she hopes to help others not just look great, but feel great, whether through makeup, or her writing. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, and pick-up soccer games with her friends. Check her out on Twitter at @GwenEveLewis.
