5 Healthy Ways to Supercharge Your Mind During Lockdown

The stress, anxiety, and fear caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may leave many of us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. Many of us are still in the struggling phase to cope with the pressure and challenges of the sudden upheaval. As a result of this medical school application coronavirus pandemic, a range number of mental health issues, such as fear, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, are reported during the COVID-19 outbreak. There was a sudden rise in depression and anxiety levels in people of China, UK, and other countries after the announcement of lockdown across the globe.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world is trying hard to deal with anxiety, financial troubles, and a temporary loss of freedom. So, it is important to look after your physical and mental health during this stressful period. Let’s discover some healthy ways to keep your mind fresh during this time of uncertainty.

1.       Connecting with Your Loved Ones

During the lockdown, you have to maintain social distancing and avoid meeting with your family and friends in person. But it doesn’t mean to completely cut off from your loved ones; technology can help you stay connected and build positive relationships. Video calls are a great and easy way to stay in touch with your loved ones during self-isolation.

A study suggests that people who build positive relationships produce more oxytocin – a hormone which is responsible for elevating feelings of attachment and connection and can help you cope with stressful conditions. So, during this time of high social stress, try to maintain happy and good social connections so that your brain can release more oxytocin, which will promote longevity and improve your overall wellbeing.

2.       Make Time for Workouts

In order to keep physically and mentally healthy, it is super important to set aside time for exercise as it is a powerful stress reliever. While you have too much free time in lockdown, that doesn’t mean to crash on your sofa or couch. You need to stay active and sweat it out. Keep in mind; the human body isn’t designed to sit all day; you have to move around and make some effort to reduce stress. Physical activity offers a long list of mental benefits, such as improving cognitive function, reducing the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and improving your quality of life. When you stay active, it will allow your muscles to move, improves blood flow, and increases the body’s relaxation response.

Since you can’t go to the gym during the lockdown, thankfully, there are a number of exercises that you can do from home. Here is a list of some exercises that allow your mind and body to work together to relieve stress.

•         Walking
•         Gardening
•         Dancing
•         Yoga
•         Tai chi
•         Qigong
•         Pilates

3.       Make the Right Use of Technology

A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association suggests that the news cause stress, anxiety, and loss of sleep among people. It’s important to stay up to date with the latest advancements, but it doesn’t mean to continuously check updates. Instead, avoid watching the news and talk shows too much and focus on watching funny shows to help your mind feel fresh and give you stress relief.

4.       Do What You Enjoy Most

Whether you are a student, designer, or stylist, this lockdown is a great opportunity to do things you love most. There are nearly limitless ways to find an interesting activity to get yourself busy. For instance, you can do your favorite things like baking, singing, cooking, gardening, or anything that makes you smile and happy. Learning new skills is also a great idea to make the most of this time and stay productive during this lockdown. For instance, if you are an aspiring medical student, you can read different books to strengthen your biological concepts. You can watch YouTube videos to get a deeper understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and other important subjects that you will learn in medical school. If truth be told, developing new skills will boost your self-confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment.

5.       Practice Mindfulness

During a stressful time, it is natural to develop negative thoughts and think about the worst situations that may never happen. You don’t know what the future has in store for you, but you should keep in mind that you are safe and healthy in the present moment. So, stop your negative thoughts and practice healthy thinking every day. By staying mindful, you can notice a positive change in your personality. For instance, you can write down the list of tasks that you have successfully completed or the things you are grateful for. Also, write what qualities you like most about yourself, what you did. Gratitude practices can have a positive impact on your life.

You can also practice mindfulness by closing your eyes and taking deep breaths. The goal is to help you realize you are living in the moment and take benefit from these peaceful moments. Taking a couple of minutes out of the day for practicing mindfulness exercises will help you learn how to stay calm and deal with the upheaval that surrounds us.

Over to You

So, these are a few easy tips you can follow during this stressful and uncertain time of coronavirus pandemic to stay physically fit and mentally healthy.