Since the pandemic hit, anxiety and stress have been among the most challenging emotions to cope with. Significant studies have shown that increased feelings of anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression have been among the most common side effects of isolation during numerous lockdowns globally. It’s becoming increasingly evident that finding healthy ways to cope with these feelings is of the utmost importance as we transition into the new normal. Granted, it’s easier said than done, but it’s necessary during this challenging period. In the following, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about ways to cope with stress and anxiety during the pandemic.
Counseling and Therapy
There’s nothing wrong with seeking therapy during such a difficult period. In fact, it’s advisable to seek help even more during the pandemic since feelings of isolation and solitude are common. Whether you just want to talk to someone or develop healthier coping mechanisms when it comes to your difficult emotions, teletherapy or counseling is a great option. It doesn’t automatically mean something’s wrong with your mental health, but it’s an incredibly healthy way to seek help in times of need. You can treat counseling similar to talking to a friend, but instead of a friend, you have a professional to validate your feelings, explain your thoughts and emotions, and give you advisable ways to cope with the feelings you don’t want to deal with. Since it’s a pandemic, you don’t have to go to physical sessions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, but you can now opt for digital therapy sessions.
Do What You Love
Spending time on your passions is one of the most therapeutic yet underrated ways to cope with your stress and anxiety. Whether you enjoy painting, dancing, working out, running outdoors, or taking photos, this is your window of opportunity to do as you please. You’ll feel much better about your stress and energy levels once you spend time doing what you love. Your passion fills you up with positivity and purpose, and in a situation where you might be spiraling out of control, your passions and hobbies keep you grounded. If you haven’t found your passion yet, this is also your chance to try different hobbies. You never know; you might find something you genuinely like and enjoy to pass the time during the new normal.
Work on yourself
Focusing on yourself and doing the internal and external work needed to get to a better place is one of the most productive things you could do during the new normal. Though working on yourself can sometimes feel selfish or frivolous, your mental and physical health is affected by how you view yourself. Developing better habits like eating healthy, moving your body, creative expression, and developing meaningful relationships all help get you to a better place. Your self-confidence also plays a significant role in your overall outlook in life. You can start taking better care of your skin, change your hair color, or even improve your smile with full-mouth dental implants if necessary. Feeling good in your body, in the way you look, isn’t something to be taken lightly. Working on physical appearance to feel more comfortable and confident is far from selfish; it’s self-care at its finest.
Exercise
Exercise helps not only with your physical health but also your mental and emotional health. When you exercise, it’s not just about losing weight or having a better figure. It is also about taking better care of your health and wellness. Exercise doesn’t just boost your mood and energy levels by giving off endorphins and dopamine into your body, but it also promotes feelings of productivity, gratitude, concentration, and focus. When you tend to feel anxious throughout the pandemic and lack a sense of control, exercise is one of the habits that can keep you grounded. Not to mention, it also helps boost your immune system in keeping you safe from the virus. It doesn’t matter what exercise you do, as long as you’re actively moving your body each day and trying your best to enjoy it, rather than treating it as a chore.
While stress and anxiety are both common emotions that everyone’s prone to feeling during the pandemic, they’re not something to get used to. They’re something to get past. These tips mentioned above can help keep you grounded and sane through challenging times like the global pandemic. Managing to get past these difficult emotions not only leads to a more positive outlook on life but also significantly improves your overall health.
