In the last few months, we all experienced difficult things because of the coronavirus outbreak. The forced isolation and sudden lack of social interaction were hard on everyone. Many people faced even tougher situations like being unemployed, having economic problems, or even losing close friends and family. Undeniably, all these things impacted significantly our mental health and that is the reason why now self-care is so important.
Express your feelings
Expressing our feelings can be challenging because of the vulnerability that involves it.
In the past, I mostly kept my problems to myself because I believed that people would find it annoying to hear the things that bothered me and that even if I did talk about how I felt, it would be pointless. However, with time I realize I was completely wrong. The people in our lives that care deeply for us, will never get tired of listening to what we have to say and being listened to can make you feel less alone and a lot better.
So I suggest you give it a try and if you think aren’t ready to open up with someone, just grab a paper and write whatever is going through your mind. Put your problems, fears, and insecurities there. Just don’t keep your emotions hidden. Talking about your feeling will make you feel relief and will even encourage others to do the same.
Stay in touch
Surrounding yourself with good people is essential for a happy life, so put some work in your relationships and don’t lose contact with others. Lockdown made it hard as we haven’t been able to see our friends and families but you can still stay in touch, the internet allows it. Give them a call, chat online, sent them a post. Many apps can help you stay connected. Try Netflix Party if you haven’t already. There is also Houseparty, Bunch, Rave, Airtime, and many more. Let’s take advantage of technology.
Take breaks
Having to work, to study, to put up with your family, or even having nothing to do at all can be overwhelming. Life is exhausting which is why from time to time we need breaks. We are not machines, we weren’t made to be working 24/7, we get tired and we need to rest. Taking a few minutes to breathe and relax can be enough. You can even try listening to music, meditating, practicing yoga, or even taking the weekend off if that is what you need. Besides taking breaks is good for your body, it boosts your creativity and your productivity. So don’t feel guilty for needing some time to unplug from the world. Your body is wise, listen to it!
Take care of your body
Our physical and mental health depend on each other so we can’t disregard our body if we want to have a healthy mind. There are many ways to take care of your body, but I will leave here the ones you should keep in mind
Eating healthy
Your brain needs a lot of nutrients to do its job, so make sure you are eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cereals. Also, it is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water a day as it keeps you hydrated and helps to clear toxins.
Exercising
Physical activity is essential for good health. There are plenty of things you could do to exercise. I highly recommend finding something that you truly enjoy because if you don’t, you are more likely to quit it. Keep in mind that the amount of exercise you should do per week depends on different factors and not everyone is the same as you.
Sleeping
As adults, we should get at least between six to eight hours of continuous sleep a night. However, if you are like me, falling asleep is not always easy. The best thing you can do is wake up early, exercise, and stop using electronic devices one or two hours before going to bed. Make all of that a routine and I assure you, sleeping will be easier. You could also try drinking relaxing tea or taking a hot shower to make your body relax and finally rest.
Love yourself
The reason why many people are unhappy with themselves is that we judge ourselves unfairly. We focus on all the things we are not and ignore all the good things that we do are. Realizing this, helped me improve a lot my self-esteem as I started being more conscious of this toxic habit. Now, whenever those negatives thoughts come to my mind, I immediately start thinking of all the things that I do like about myself and all the things I am good at. The more I kept doing that, the more I start loving myself and appreciating my talents. Doing this simple thing drastically change the way I perceived myself and I know it will do the same to you.
Keep in mind that not every day will be a good day. It might be disappointing but is true and the only thing I can say to that is: be kind to yourself. You are doing your best and that is enough. No one said taking care of our mind was easy, but if you start by following the tips that I gave you, you are already one step closer to achieving a healthy mindset and living a happier life.
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