How to stay mentally healthy during the lockdown

As local governments and health authorities want to curb the spread of COVID-19, more and more people across India are being told to stay at home and distance themselves. Likewise, those who are ill or have tested positive for COVID-19 further limit their social contact through self-isolation. While such measures can protect our physical health, it is important to also consider the impact of isolation on our mental health. Separation from friends, family and colleagues can cause feelings of loneliness, fear, anger, restlessness, stress and even depression. But just as we protect our immune system, it’s just as important to prioritize self-care right now. Meanwhile the lockdown has been extended till 3rd of May here’s how to take care of your mental health while in social isolation:

1.Read Books

To pass the time, reading or taking note of audiobooks can stimulate your imagination and provides your anxious brain a pleasant reprieve from reality. Research shows that just six minutes of reading can lower your mental tension.

2.Do Social Detox

While it’s important to keep up to date with the latest public health announcements, too much news consumption can add to feelings of stress and anxiety. If endless scrolling overwhelms you, try setting aside regular time in the morning or afternoon to check your news feed and give yourself a time limit. Many social media platforms even allow you to set such parameters with their apps.

3. Communicate & Share Ideas

While physical contact may be limited at this time, there are several ways to keep in touch with friends and family. Still try to connect with your friends and family through video chat or phone calls. You don’t have to talk about quarantine or COVID-19, and in fact, it might be a good idea to keep that part of the conversation within 5-10 minutes, talk about productive and positive things mostly.

4. Focus on Self Care

If you feel well enough, continue with your regular self-care. By that we mean: keep showering and dress in real clothes. While lounging in messy hair pajamas is fine at first, it will get depressed. You don’t have to wear a suit on the inside, but take off your sweat.

5. Have Healthy Food

It’s easy to neglect your nutrition if you’re stuck indoors or don’t feel well. However, when it comes to controlling your anxiety, a balanced diet is vital to your health. As we usually recommend, focus on eating fresh, unprocessed, whole foods to maintain a strong immune system.

6. Prepare Yourself For Future

This pandemic and lockdown will be over soon. You can utilize this time for preparing yourself for the future. If you are a student you can collect information about things which might help you in your studies. If you are working then you can improve your skills in order to perform better.