Dealing With Stress & Anxiety During The Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been wreaking havoc on everyone’s lives for more than a year. It has changed the way we work, the way we think, the way we act, the way we spend time with each other, and the way we live, period. It has caused a whirlwind of emotions, that’s for sure.

While most of these changes are for the better good — at least for now — that doesn’t make them any easier to cope with. We all have our own unique daily routines that we rely on, but there’s a lot of stress and anxiety that comes when we’re forced to make changes to these.

Some people are fine dealing with and managing the stress and anxiety, while others seem to crack under pressure. If you’re someone that doesn’t know how to cope with these feelings, don’t worry, you’re not alone! In fact, there are plenty of things you can do each day to help.

So, what can you do to relieve stress and anxiety?

Mental health needs to be a top priority at all times — especially in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Every time we face a challenge, we need to have the wherewithal to move past it and find a solution without it wreaking havoc on our daily lives.

That’s why we’re going to share some of our most prominent tips and pieces of advice we have when dealing with, managing, and reducing the amount of stress and anxiety in your life. Some of these tips might take some time to settle in, but it’ll be well-worth it when it’s all said and done.

1. Take a Break From the News

Most of us are spending an unusual amount of time at home and many are struggling to find things to do with all this extra time. As a result, we tend to turn to our various digital devices to entertain us. Unfortunately, these digital devices might be doing more harm than good at this point.

Believe it or not, news channels aren’t designed to make you feel good about what’s going on in the world. They’re filled with all the negative things happening around us and they don’t seem to counter that with any of the positive news — even though there’s so much to be thankful for every day.

Whether you’re sitting on the couch and watching your preferred news channel on TV or are flipping through the news stories on your social media profile, learn to take a break every now and then. It’s okay to keep yourself in the loop, but don’t go overboard with all the negativity.

2. Your Physical Health Still Matters

Your body, mind, and soul are all connected. Although it’s easy to forget that when you’re focusing on mental health, it’s just as important to tend to your physical health to help compliment your mental efforts. Of course, there are an endless amount of ways to do that.

The first priority is to make sure you’re eating a healthy, balanced, and regular diet. Eat well and eat often to ensure your body’s receiving the right amount of nutrients throughout the day. If you need to, turn to supplements to help maintain a nutritious diet, but don’t rely on them too heavily.

In addition to your diet, you should be exercising on a regular basis each week — even if it’s just walking. Combine that exercise with some meditation and make sure you give yourself some time to relax. At the end of the day, make sure you get that much-needed eight hours of sleep!

3. Take Part In a New Hobby or Interest

If you have a lot of time on your hands, there are better things to do than sitting around on the couch all day. Many of us get stuck on our phones and tablets, but it’s important to keep the digital stuff to a minimum — especially in the modern digital world we find ourselves in today.

Instead, take this time to find a new hobby or interest. There are so many wonderful activities out there, you just have to give yourself a chance to find the ones that mean the most to you. You’d be surprised at what you might be most passionate about when you open your options.

Once you find something that peaks your interest, you’ll have something to keep your mind off all the craziness going on in the world. It’ll be a breath of fresh air in your life, and you might even meet some new people that share that hobby. Just remember — don’t limit yourself ever!

4. Take Time to Connect With Others

I know we’re living in a time where gathering with friends and family is difficult. Even when we do get to see others in person, we must remain socially distant from one another and wear our masks. With that said, it doesn’t mean we need to steer away from connecting with one another.

In fact, this is one of those times when turning to your digital devices is helpful. Instead of playing games on your phone or scrolling through your social media feed to like someone’s photo, try connecting with a friend or family member on a live video chat or group chat online.

It’s not the same as seeing the person face-to-face, but it’s the next best thing — especially in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic. These connections at least give you some sense of social interaction and allow you to strengthen the friendships and relationships that mean the most.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help or Therapy

Stress and anxiety are two things you can’t run from in life. They’re more normal than most people think. Of course, what’s not normal is having that stress and anxiety overwhelm you to the point it’s hard to maintain a quality standard in life. That’s when it’s time to seek some help.

If this sounds like you, don’t be ashamed and don’t panic. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help and there are a wide range of people out there ready to give it. Despite the negative stigma it carries, therapy is one of the most rewarding and beneficial things for mental health.

A therapist has one goal on their mind and that’s bringing out the best in yourself. They don’t judge you and they won’t make you feel embarrassed. If anything, they’ll make you realize your true potential in this crazy world and show you just how amazing of a person you really are.

We’re All In This Together, Don’t Forget That!

There isn’t one person in this world that doesn’t come across stress or anxiety on a daily basis. The main issue is that many people are seeing those stress and anxiety levels rise above our control, especially with the amount of challenges that we’re currently facing with during the age of COVID-19.

The good news is there are ways to learn how to cope with your stress and anxiety. If you feel like you’re struggling, try some of the tips we discussed above — whether it be taking a break from the news, taking care of your body, finding a hobby, connecting with others, or therapy.

In the event you feel that therapy is what you need, contact our friends over at BetterHelp. They take great pride in being able to match you with a quality and trustworthy therapist in your area. And if you just want a break from the doom and gloom, Guys Gab has plenty of entertaining blog posts that are sure to please.