We’re living through strange times that none of us could have anticipated. For the first couple of months of 2020, many of us were living life as normal – going to work, socializing with friends, making plans for the months ahead. We were booking holidays, booking gig tickets, booking festivals. But the month of March saw a huge upheaval as coronavirus spread across the world, creating the first global pandemic that many of us have seen in our lifetimes.
In order to slow the spread of the virus, and to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, many of us have been following social isolation and social distancing guidelines since. This has included not going out to work and only leaving the house to get necessities, like food and medication. Of course, this is bound to be a pretty stressful time. But while you’re home, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce your stress levels. Here are a few simple ones to consider!
Get Sufficient Sleep
Without much sense of routine, it can become easy to stay up late into the night. But try to make sure you still get sufficient sleep. Maintaining routine is important for a sense of regularity and stability. Insufficient sleep can also worsen stress and have some pretty negative effects on your overall well being.
Try Stress Busting Products
There are plenty of stress busting products out there on the market. They each claim to soothe your emotions and give you a sense of peace and relaxation. They vary greatly. You could consider chamomile tea. You could try lavender scented candles or bath salts. You could try CBD creams like those found here: https://www.everydayoptimalcbd.com/product/cbd-pain-cream/. Whatever you opt for, it may be a process of trial and error before you find the perfect product to suit your needs. Stick with it and you should eventually get there.
Pick Up a Hobby
Many of us get stressed when we overthink. So, try distracting your wandering mind with some sort of hobby. It should be something that interests you and that you find enjoyable. Many people are turning to baking, as not only is this fun, but you can pick up a useful skill in the process and get a sweet treat at the end! Others are learning languages. Some are painting. Some are getting involved in crafts. Whatever you choose, completely immerse yourself in it and have a nice time!
Exercise
It’s important that you still get your recommended 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week. Not only is this important for your physical health and wellbeing, but it’s good for your mind too. Exercises suppresses the secretion of cortisol – a stress hormone- and releases feel good hormones, lifting your mood!
These are just a few simple steps that you might want to try out to reduce your stress levels. Hopefully, they will be able to help you! If they don’t quite tick your boxes, focus on finding an indoors pastime or hobby that can bring you happiness and distract your thoughts for a while each day. It can really help!
