Are you having a difficult time taking care of yourself during this pandemic? Are you tired of being trapped in the same routine every day? Have you started to forget which day it is? Are you going absolutely stir-crazy because you can’t think of other things to do?
Feeling cut off from your friends and family can have a serious negative impact on your mental health. So take this time to try new things, read a new book, or spend quality time with the people that you love! You do not need to isolate yourself, we are just keeping a good distance to ensure everyone’s safety.
We have come with a few tips to help keep you motivated and to help you prioritize your own needs!
Eat Well
Eating healthy includes eating healthy snacks and not keeping unhealthy munchies in the house. Have you found yourself eating a whole bag of junk food while watching your favorite movie/tv show? If you try to practice mindful eating, then you might have a better chance at putting the food down when you have already had enough. Check in with yourself before you eat, are you hungry or bored or anxious? If bored or anxious find a different coping skill to utilize than eating for self soothing.
Exercise in Creative Ways
One of my clients last week shared that he has been jump roping in his garage with an extension cord! I love the creativity. Other ideas are: watching Zumba classes on Youtube, doing 1 Song Workouts throughout the day, live stream yoga classes, or taking up jogging. There are a billion ways to live stream workout sessions, and you have plenty of time now to work out from home. Get creative and don’t make any more excuses; now is the time to prioritize exercising while you don’t have to leave for work every day.
Stay Connect to Your Support System
What we are having to do right now is called “social distancing” not “social isolating!” It might not be the same as meeting up together in person, but there are so many ways to continue socializing while being safe! You could schedule a happy hour on Zoom or Google Hangouts, start to play a game online where friends can join and participate, have more phone calls than normal, or even set up video dinner dates. It is so important to stay connected and to check in on your loved ones during this time. Don’t isolate yourself completely, especially when there is so much you can do to stay involved!
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you need a session with your therapist, schedule one! Many practices are still open via telehealth, and there are so many ways to improve your telehealth sessions if you are nervous about privacy while having too many people around you. Check here for our tips regarding improving your sessions. It is never too late to ask for a little help!
Take Screen Breaks
With everything being online, it is too easy to be on screens everyday. Make sure you give yourself time each day away from technology. Maybe go outside for a walk around the neighborhood, or take a nice long bath without any distractions. Put the technology away, turn off the TV, and have a short break from everything!
About the Author: Kayla Reilly MSW, LCSW is a licensed therapist and founder of Evolution Wellness, a counseling center in Wilmington, NC. She specializes in relationships and helps people be better in every relationship role they have. When she’s not busy helping people conquer their mental health and relationship wellbeing, you can find her snuggling her dogs, reading, or playing a mean game of poker.
Evolution Wellness is a counseling center in Wilmington, NC that offers individual counseling and couple’s counseling. Our professional counselors are trained to listen with empathy and expertise and offer guidance to facilitate your personal growth.