COVID-19 has brought a lot of uncertainty around the globe this past year. This pandemic has impacted many aspects of our lives, including how we work, the way we interact and communicate with each other, as well as travel. These disruptions to our daily routines can cause stress and affect our mental health. If you are wondering how to improve your mental health at a time like this, here are our tips on how to look after yourself.
1. Set a Routine
Although our daily lives are being disrupted, it’s important to stick to your usual routine as much as possible. This means waking up and going to bed at the same time. If your regular routine involves commuting, instead of sleeping in, use that time to focus on yourself. You may not realize it, but your commute to work helps ease you into the day, while your commute back home helps you wind down. Keep these pockets of time free to do the same, even when you’re working from home. Setting a routine will make it easier to transition back to your routine when things go back to normal.
2. Work-Life Balance
When you’re working from home, it’s sometimes difficult to draw the line between your work and personal life. It may be tempting to continue working after hours, or you may work overtime without realizing it, but overworking yourself will lead to burnout eventually. On the other hand, some will find it difficult to focus and be productive when working from home. Try to eliminate distractions as much as possible. If you’re living with others, set some boundaries during work hours for everyone’s benefit. Keep these good work habits to improve your mental health and avoid burnout.
3. Stay Healthy & Fit
The benefits of exercise on both physical and mental health are far and wide. Now, more than ever, it’s important to keep moving and stay active. When we’re confined to our homes, it’s easy to just sit on the couch the entire day. However, inactivity will cause you to feel sluggish and leading a sedentary lifestyle has many health risks. Try to follow some home workout videos, walk around every hour or even find ways to elevate your workstation so that you can stand while working. Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise in a day improves your mental health, promotes blood circulation and boosts your immune system.
4. Connect with Others
As we’re advised to stay home and decrease social gatherings, the amount of social interaction we are used to decreases dramatically. It’s important to stay connected to the people we know, whether it’s through texts, calls, or video calls. Try to schedule regular calls with your friends and family, you’ll find that maintaining regular contact with people will help you feel less lonely.
As we navigate through these difficult times, try following these daily habits to improve your mental health. Don’t forget to take precautions to look after your physical health as well. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, get yourself tested as soon as possible. Get covered for your COVID-19 tests and confinement for both mild and severe cases with Singlife. We’ve partnered with GCash to bring you Cash for Dengue Costs with free COVID-19 cover. Learn more about this medical bills protection product today.
