When the pandemic started here last Spring, I knew we were in for some changes. But I also thought by summertime we would surely be on our way back to “normal.”
Well, we see that hasn’t happened, and it may not be like we were used to for a while longer. So, these days of confinement may still be somewhat challenging. I know they are for me!
But some things I started doing several months ago remain to be helpful in alleviating stress as I’m finding a new routine. I hope these tips work for you as well.
Get Outdoors
I enjoy walking. For you, it may be jogging or riding your bike. Regardless of the activity you choose, being outdoors is good for the soul. It’s also healthful! In fact, “Exercise leads to an increase in natural killer cells, neutrophils and monocytes, which ultimately increases immune function,” says Ather Ali, assistant director of Complementary/Alternative Medicine Research at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center. So find an activity you enjoy, and try your best to do it outside in God’s creation.
Stay Hydrated
I’ve started drinking an 8-ounce glass of water every hour of my working day. That’s a lot more compared to what I was doing before! Water gives us energy and also rids our bodies of toxins! Also, studies have shown that dehydration leads to higher cortisol levels—the stress hormone—making it harder to deal with everyday issues. By staying hydrated we are better equipped to deal with the taxing days and weeks that are before us.
Find Relaxation
The ability to relax comes in many forms for different people. What helps you relax? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Exercising in short spurts, such as making one loop around the block or neighborhood. Or, using some free weights to do a few arm curls each day if you need to stay close to your computer or desk for work.
- Cooking or baking. This could be as simple as a snack, or a bit more involved for mealtimes. There are a lot of great recipes online for easy-to-make meals if you’re not used to cooking at home.
- Reading is a favorite for many, as it helps transport our thoughts and emotions to other places. Online reading clubs are more popular than ever as others have the same need as you—to find an enjoyable “escape” from the crisis and possibly make some new reading friends along the way.
Get Sleep
Adequate rest is good for us in several ways. For one, sleep helps us deal with stressful situations we’ve encountered throughout the day. Sleep provides rejuvenation by relaxing our minds for an extended period of time. It’s even been shown to support our immune system in fighting off disease (which we certainly need right now).
Be Selective
We all know the facts about this virus that we’re trying to avoid. It’s great to be informed, but not so good to saturate ourselves with gloom and doom all day long.
I have to be intentional about turning off the news and social media saturation that can easily pull my spirits down. Instead, I’ve learned to select ways for filtering it out such as listening to CDs, watching TV programs or movies, or doing something completely off-beat like walking the dog.
Be encouraged
These difficult days we’re living in today will pass. Eventually, we’ll be back to more normal routines than what we’re in right now.
In the meantime, try to discover some simple, relaxing activities that will help you combat feelings of stress, depression, and fearfulness by replacing them with a more positive outlook.