2020 has been pretty rough for most of us and much worse for some. Unfortunately, an election and still raging pandemic mean that we’re approaching the usual Christmas stress with plenty of uncertainty and anxiety. If this year has taken its toll on your mental health, you certainly aren’t alone. Most of us feel very tense and unsure, and none of us know what to expect from the coming months.
In times of stress, we often reach for unhealthy crutches to get us through. We overindulge in comfort foods. We drink more alcohol. We spend more time cuddled up on the sofa binging Netflix favorites and far less time exercising. While a little overindulgence is expected, and a little extra comfort, whether it comes from food, TV, or baggy old sweatpants, is a good thing. Too much, over an extended period, can start to hurt both your physical and mental health. Here’s a look at some of the things you can do to stay healthy during a stressful time.
Understand Your Habits
We all reach for different things when we’re stressed out. You might be drinking more, eating more, or falling into other habits without really realizing it. It’s often slow progress, and to cut down, we need to look at Why Do People Drink Alcohol, what we’re overindulging in and why.
Try to be more mindful of your habits, paying attention to what you are doing, and why. Then, you can look at making some healthy swaps.
Take a Minute to Breathe
Often it can make a big difference to just step back and do nothing. Forget about your responsibilities for 30 minutes and just sit doing nothing of any consequence. We spend so much of our lives rushing around trying to get to work on time, trying to squeeze in another load of laundry, trying to pick up the kids from school, or trying to cram one more hour of revision for an exam; it can all get too much. Of course, your responsibilities are important, but your health and well-being is a priority too. Meditation can work wonders for some people, whilst breathing exercises, yoga poses or gentle stretching is also good for switching off and focusing on you.
If you struggle to switch off even for a minute, you might benefit from something like a hot cup of tea or even CBD/cannabis (if it’s legal in your area). Consider visiting the ju1cebox website if you think cannabis could help you. This is especially useful if you suffer from anxiety which prevents you from breathing without becoming panicked.
Make Time for a Daily Walk
When we’re stressed out, it’s tempting to hide away. But, a lack of exercise or even movement can make your stress worse, lead to weight gain and affect your cardiovascular health. Making time for a daily walk and forcing yourself to get out even when you don’t want to can be a big help.
Try to Understand Yourself
Stress can be complicated, and you might not understand what’s causing it. A lack of engaging activity can be a cause of stress. Have you tried exploring new things? You should try to look for a new hobby that can keep your mind occupied. If that’s not it, is it sexual? Are you sexually active and healthy? Lack of sex can also build body tension and increase stress. You can try a dating app or a Fuck Finder App to remediate this issue. Analyze your issues, and try to find a remedy, if possible.
Don’t Forget Your Hygiene
What the boss doesn’t see, we get away with. Many people are now working in pyjamas and skipping their morning shower now that they work remotely without the boss seeing them – some people have had conference calls with a smart suit on top and a birthday suit on the bottom! But as fun as this is, don’t make it a habit.
Studies have shown that a change of clothes and a good bath/shower can reduce pain and calm the nervous system, reducing your anxiety. And that’s before you consider using wholesale cbd bath bombs or soaps to do the same.
Have Healthy Snacks to Hand
Comfort food is a big problem when we’re feeling a little down or stressed. The occasional treat, in moderation, won’t hurt you. It could even improve your mood. But, make sure you’ve got plenty of healthy snacks to hand so that binge eating doesn’t become a habit.
Get into a New Routine
When our lives change as much as they have in 2020, our old routines no longer work. But routines are good. They keep us moving, they make it easy to fit in exercise and talking to loved ones, and they give us focus. Your old routine might not work, and if you are working from home now, it can be a significant change. That doesn’t mean that you can’t create a new routine, with room to practice healthy habits and hobbies.
Remember, as the weather turns and winter settles in, finding ways to stay healthy becomes more important than ever, especially as we try to avoid or fight off COVID-19. Often, small changes have the most positive effects, so take it slowly and focus on making sustainable changes to your lifestyle.
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