By Jasmine Gill
The global pandemic of the coronavirus has driven us into our homes, a place in which we would normally seek comfort. Now, trapped inside our walls and left to stare listlessly outside the window, we have begun to feel the effects of deepset anxiety and the lethargy of staying inside. Not only the implications of the world shutting down, but fear for your friends and family have given you a seemingly endless expanse of stress and worry.
The following guidelines will not only give you remedies to ease your mind, but also provide helpful kickstarters to encourage productivity and deter restlessness. Here are a few things you can do, isolated and indoors:
- Working out not only releases painkilling endorphins, it also encourages deep sleep stages and can prevent you from gaining extra pounds as a result of inactivity. Yoga, cardio, and resistance training are good examples of where you can start. Remember to do a thorough warm-up first, and cool down with gentle stretches.
- It’s never too late to start decluttering your work and living spaces. Cleaner spaces have been shown to promote positivity and productivity. Start with your room, clearing up all your laundry and making your bed, then move on to more challenging areas such as the living room or the basement.
- Improve Sleep Hygiene. Poor sleep tends to be one of the biggest contributing factors to stress. In order to encourage a deep and restful sleep, eat at least an hour before sleeping and to find a routine to help you wind down. Try to fall asleep and wake up at the same time. If you find that you can’t fall asleep, try deep breathing techniques or even daydream. The sooner you stop worrying over being awake, the sooner you’ll fall asleep.
- Meditation relieves not only mental stress, but is shown to mitigate chronic pain as well. Take ten minutes from your day to find a quiet spot and sit down, focusing on your breathing and surroundings. You may struggle to keep your mind free of thoughts or distractions the first time you meditate, but with practice you will be able to achieve a deep and soothing state of relaxation.
These simple and effective home remedies, if put into practice routinely, will help alleviate your stresses in this challenging time. Stay safe, and enjoy!