Ever since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic in March 2020, many countries have enforced lockdowns to curb the outbreak.
Although governments have implemented measures to keep people safe, the effects of self-isolation have caused severe psychological problems for a large population. Many people are unable to cope with changes in their usual way of life.
How do we deal with such stress? Here are some suggestions that can ease some of the anxiety and help you sleep during the ongoing situation.
Get Proper Sleep
A good night’s slumber offers many benefits, such as reducing stress and boosting your immune system, which is critical at this time.
Many factors can improve the quality of your rest. A good bed is essential. You can now find the perfect mattress for side sleepers online, as well as ones for those who snooze on their front or back.
You’ll want to make sure you get up and go to bed at the same time every day to get your body into a routine and to aid your circadian rhythm.
Blue light is detrimental near bedtime. Turn off all devices an hour or two before you hit the day and instead enjoy a relaxing activity like reading, yoga, or meditation to help get your body ready for sleep.
Try to avoid late night eating as it can play havoc with your shut-eye. If you are unable to fall asleep, you could always consider purchasing some cannabis from Mankind Dispensary, for example, to see if that helps you to fall asleep more comfortably.
Don’t Judge Yourself
The crisis affects every individual in different ways. It’s a new challenge that no one anticipated. We didn’t have a chance to prepare for it.
Everyone is getting through the lockdown the best way they know how. So, do everything you can without comparing yourself to what others are doing. You don’t need the additional stress of feeling that you’re not performing enough or as well as other people.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Accept that it’s normal to experience fear and anxiety under the circumstances. You should expect to go through those emotions during this phase.
As you learn to identify the triggers and your response, you’ll be able to process them before they get out of control.
Change Your Perspective
The way you interpret your situation will determine how you feel about it. If you regard the stay-at-home order as an excellent opportunity to spend more time with your family, you’ll be less stressed than if you perceive it as being locked up against your will.
You can’t change what’s happening. You only have control over your thoughts and how you respond to events.
By reframing what’s going on to something positive, you’ll find more ease and be able to focus on making the best of the time you have.
Keep Busy
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests that you find something special to do while being confined to your home.
Take up a hobby, chat with family and friends, and try anything that you’ve wanted to do but haven’t got down to it. An exciting routine will give you a reason to look forward to each day.
Maintain Normalcy
Try to stick to what you used to do before the quarantine as much as you can. You’ll likely need to adapt but keep your routine as close as possible to your regular schedule.
You might be working from home, but you can still wake up at the usual time and perform the same pre-office rituals except for the commute. It may be challenging to do your job without distractions, so be flexible.
Having some normality helps you adjust better to the present situation. It also makes it easier for you to get back to work when the time comes.
Keep Your Views Off Social Media
Emotions are high for many reasons, and most people are venting their frustrations and opinions on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Any comment is likely to trigger an outburst, and you don’t want to embroil yourself in a heated debate over an issue you can’t control. It’ll just add more stress to your life.
Avoid Immersing in the Covid-19 News
The coverage of Coronavirus can be overwhelming if you get too absorbed in it. You may have plenty of free time to research and get involved in discussions about the pandemic, but it’s best to exercise restraint.
If you want to keep abreast of current affairs, choose to spend only a few minutes every day on credible websites or news channels.
There’s little you can do to solve the problem, and the severity of what’s going on will only negatively affect you if you get too obsessed with it.
This Crisis Will End
It may seem like there’s no foreseeable timeframe for things to get back to the way they were, but this calamity will be over soon.
Meanwhile, we’ll have to do our best to weather the storm and prepare for the new dawn. We hope that the tips we’ve suggested help, and you feel more at ease and able to sleep during the pandemic.