Is pandemic anxiety taking over you? This might help you!

Hey you,
Is pandemic anxiety taking over you? If yes, then it’s time to say goodbye to it! Firstly, my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this fight. Secondly, thanks to all the frontline workers who have helped us fight this pandemic be it Healthcare Professionals, Grocery Store Workers, Essential Delivery Workers, Police Force, etc.

It’s been more than 60 days that we have been in the lockdown, and now I am okay working from home, no outings, no travel, no meeting friends. But it did hit me badly within 15 days of the lockdown. I was stressed and restless because of which I even got my periods late. Without any reason I would panic, cry in my sleep thinking about my parents and 5 pets living in the same city but far from my place and my sister and brother-in-law who stay abroad! I had trouble concentrating on my work.

Finally I decided to take a step ahead and try to make it work because somewhere at the bottom of my heart I knew that only I can make it work and won’t let this pandemic anxiety take over me. Yes! This helped me. Here is my tried and tested list of dos and don’ts if you feel the same:

Prepare a schedule for working hours:

We intend to work more when we work from home. It’s not just me, but many other people work more than their actual working hours because we don’t have any prepared schedule for it. I would strongly recommend you to make a schedule for working hours. It will help you have time for other things, and your mind will get some rest too. Try to stick to your regular sleep, eat, exercise and work schedule.

Avoid negative chats on WhatsApp and other social media platforms:

Negatives messages, news, fake news, etc. affect a lot.
Yes, believe it or not, they affect us mentally as well as emotionally. Try to ignore them, don’t be active in such groups.

Video call with friends & families:

It is very important to communicate. I suggest that if you are feeling low or depressed or just having a bad day, jump on a video call with your family or friends. It will help you reduce your stress levels, and you will feel much better after communicating with your loved one.
STAY IN TOUCH.

Do some Floor Exercise:

Try to give some time to exercise to keep yourself fit. It will help you freshen up your mind.

Draw/paint soothing pictures:

Trust me, I started drawing mandalas which helped me cope with my stress and anxiety issues. It helps a lot. You don’t need to be perfect. Just start drawing.

(If you need any guidance on this do let me know, will create a tutorial on basics.)

Meditate:

As per Wikipedia “Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.”
It’s not that you should meditate only during this pandemic time, but meditation should be in your daily practice. It keeps your mind and body healthy and fit.

Read the news on trustable resources:

Read the news on trustable resources like CDC, the World Health Organization, and your local public health authorities.

Talk to someone:

Even after trying all the above is pandemic anxiety still taking a toll on you and making you nuts?

SEEK HELP! TALK TO SOMEONE! There is nothing wrong in asking help from others so don’t let it hurt your ego! And if you are on the other side of the table, then do keep your arms open & handout solutions to people who seek help!

Be kind to others: Don’t be racial.

In the end, I would say STAY POSITIVE, STAY HOME, STAY SAFE!

And, if you think this isn’t helping you talk to me, DM me on @nikohlife (Instagram).

Love XOXO
Nikohlife