Stress from covid-19 is a common problem that many people struggle with. When you are feeling stressed, it can be difficult to know how to best deal with the stress. In this blog post, I will discuss some tips and strategies for managing stress from covid-19. While these techniques won’t protect against covid-19 (obviously), they can help you to feel more empowered and able to deal with the other stressors that have come with the pandemic.
1. Get enough sleep.
One way that has been shown effective in reducing levels of cortisol which contributes towards systemic inflammation as well as increasing adrenaline production is by improving your quality of sleep . Getting at least seven hours per night has been shown significantly improve health markers including blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) while also decreasing cortisol levels.
Another way in which you can reduce your cortisol levels is by taking some time out for yourself in order to relax and unwind from all of the stressors that have been piling up during the course of your busy day. This could include listening to music, going for a walk or even getting an extra hour or two each night through no longer watching television before bedtime.
2. Try relaxation techniques.
When you are feeling stressed, it can be helpful to try some relaxation techniques . This could include practices such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. These activities can help to calm the mind and body, and can be a great way to manage stress from covid-19.
3. Make time for yourself even when you are busy.
When we feel stressed, it can be easy to put our own needs last on the list of priorities as we focus on taking care of others around us first . However, this is not good from a mental or physical health perspective. Whether it’s going out with friends after work one night each week or just having a few minutes during your lunch break that day in which you take some deep breaths and close your eyes, these simple actions can have huge benefits for relieving stress from covid-19.
It may seem counterintuitive at times because there will likely always be more things to do than free hours in the day (especially now), but if you can make an effort to reserve some time for yourself, you’ll be feeling better later!
4. Talk to someone.
Another technique that can be helpful for managing stress is talking about your feelings. This could mean talking to a friend, family member, or therapist. Sharing what you are experiencing can help to reduce the feeling of isolation and can also be a way to gain support from others. Talking openly about your thoughts and feelings can also help you to better understand them.
If you are struggling with anxiety or depression related to covid-19, it is important to seek professional help. There are many great resources available, and there is no shame in seeking assistance. Talking about your feelings can be an important part of getting help and recovering from this difficult time.
5. Stay connected…
While it may be tempting to isolate yourself during this time of stress, it is important to stay connected with others . This could mean staying in touch with friends and family members online, participating in virtual support groups, or even just going for a walk outside. Connecting with others can help reduce the isolation that often comes with stress.
If you are feeling lonely, there are also plenty of ways to get connected with others. Try looking for local events or meetups that interest you, or signing up for a class at your local community centre. There are also many online forums and groups where you can connect with people who share your interests. Staying connected is an important way to reduce loneliness and stress during difficult times.
You may also want to consider pet adoption if you’re feeling lonely. Pets provide companionship and offer unconditional love, which can be incredibly soothing during stressful times. Plus, taking care of a pet can help keep you active and engaged in life. If you don’t have the time or resources to adopt a pet yourself, consider volunteering at a local pet shelter or rescue agency. Just remember, if you do adopt, you should be adopting for life: pets have feelings too!
6 … But also don’t forget to take ‘you’ time.
While it’s important to stay connected with others during difficult times, it’s also important to give yourself some time alone. That’s something we haven’t talked much about during the pandemic, perhaps because people assume we’ve been lonely due to being cut off from friends, family, and colleagues. But spending all day in the company of roommates or partners can mean we’re not getting enough time for ourselves!
Taking time to yourself could be a small escape, or a larger excursion. It could mean taking a bath, reading your favourite book, or going for a walk. It could also mean taking a trip to your favourite place, or just curling up on the couch and watching TV. If there’s no lockdown going on, you could also consider taking a weekend away, or even a road trip to work from somewhere new.
What’s important is that you do something that makes you happy and helps to reduce stress. Reserving some time for yourself is crucial during times of stress, and it doesn’t have to be a lot of time! Even taking five or ten minutes each day can make a big difference.
7. Stay positive!
Finally, one of the most important things you can do during this time is to positive ! It is easy to become overwhelmed by all the stress in your life, but it is important to keep perspective. Try writing down five things each day that you are grateful for or find positive about your situation. This can help shift focus away from negative thoughts and feelings towards more healthy, constructive ways of thinking.
Staying positive during times when we feel stress doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine if it isn’t; rather this means staying hopeful even when things seem difficult. The good news is that there are many effective techniques out there for managing negative thoughts and living a happier life!
You can find tons of videos, books, and even smartphone apps that can teach you techniques that therapists use, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and more. These are all provide well-evidenced techniques for managing negative thoughts, alleviating unpleasant emotions, and allowing natural, healthy emotions (which can also be unpleasant) to do their jobs and run their course.
Conclusion
So, these are just a few things that we wanted to share as we continue navigating through these uncertain times. We hope they provide some helpful tips and perspective. Remember: it’s okay to feel stressed and anxious – everyone does at times like this. But it’s also important to try not to let stress run your life. It is possible to live a happy, rewarding, and fulfilling life even when times are tough!
