Stress is the invisible enemy that affects most people and is responsible for a wide range of health problems. Because of the pandemic, stress levels increased significantly, putting a serious threat on our health and wellbeing. This is why it is worth embracing methods that help you cope with stress in the best ways possible. Below you can find a list of the 10 most effective ways to reduce stress and enjoy a better life.
1Make exercising part of your daily routine
You should give this a try and see how physical exercising can make you feel better, lowering stress levels. Especially if you’re working from home, it is recommended to take breaks for standing up, stretching, and even walking for a little.
2Spend time outdoors and face the sun
Staying indoor for extended periods has a negative effect on our mental health. So, as often as you can, go out in the garden or to your terrace, in case you live in a flat. You can even get more plants into the house, so your eyes can enjoy the lively, green colors of the leaves. More than the psychological benefits a new study has found that increased exposure to sunlight can be a simple public health intervention to prevent COVID-19 deaths. Facing the sun on a daily basis will get you in a good state of mind overall.
3Come up with a daily routine and stick to it
Lacking a proper routine also adds up to our levels of stress, so it is advisable to have a routine and respect it on a daily basis. This means setting up a schedule for work, dedicating time for family and leisure, and making sure you sleep sufficiently at night. Don’t forget to give yourself time to eat healthy meals with regularity as well.
4Stop watching too many Covid-19-related news
Constantly watching news related to the pandemic will only add more stress and discomfort. Thus, it is best to avoid such news as much as possible. Just to have time of 5 minutes or window period to access the news Just to keep aware of what’s happening around you. Avoid following the elaborated news Instead; choose to read positive and uplifting news, which can have a positive impact on your mood.
5Show empathy and compassion to your colleagues or team members
This is extremely important especially if you are a leader or team manager. Keep communication at the highest levels and make sure everybody gets all the support needed to perform well under these circumstances. Not only in your professional lifes, this also needed in your personal lives with your friends and relatives. As quoted by Regis Murayi “Part of being a person is about helping others.” These Pandemics are the time when all of us need to stay united as one big family.
6Perform breathing exercises
Breathing exercises are great when you feel tensed and stressed. According to specialists, spending 3 to 5 minutes performing this kind of exercise will boost oxygen intake to the brain and will reduce stress significantly. There are variety of ways and methods available which you could try to stay fit.
7Try to have social interactions at least once a day
The worst part about this pandemic and, implicit, of social distancing rules is that we can’t get in touch with people like we used to. However, it is still highly recommended to have social interactions at least once every day. Phone calls or video calls are a great way to do this, whether you want to talk to a friend, family member, or colleague from work.
8Limit the time spend on social media networks
While we mostly use social media to connect with others, the news spread throughout these networks, many of them misleading and exaggerated can induce states of panic and elevated stress. That’s why it would be best to limit the time we spend on social media networks and even mute notifications that can distract us.
9Do your best to create a balance between your personal life and work
Since it is not sure when our lives will get back to normal, as they once were, we need to find a balance between work and our personal lives because work will continue to be done from home. So, to avoid getting burned or unhappy, you need to determine the time spend for work and time dedicated to enjoying activities that relax you and make you happy.
10Look for professional help
It is not a shame to admit that you simply can’t handle the situation. Sometimes, the load we carry may be too much for us to be able to handle alone. Before high-stress levels affect your mental and physical health, don’t hesitate to reach out and seek specialized help. These days, professional counselors provide online meetings, so it’s very easy and convenient to get all the help you need to overcome difficulties. We may be in different boats but we are all in the same storm. Its common and natural to get stressed or depressed. Normal mental health includes a full range of emotions that occur from time to time, and they are an important part of the human experience. Always get professional help if you need or even when you are not sure.
Feel free to comment or add any interesting Hacks for staying positive. Take care!
