How Do I Stay Strong During A Pandemic?

Can you list down the emotions you're feeling now?

Do you exercise every day?

Do you have a structure or routine to your day?

Are your meals healthy and nutritious?

Have you tried yoga and meditation?

Are you thankful for what you have?

Great! List them down and give a name for each emotion as labeling them can give you a much better idea of how to handle it. Though this may seem overwhelming at first, it gets better with practice. Make it a point to list down your emotions as and when you feel them and the associated reason. This can give you a sense of the pattern of the events that trigger this emotion.

Make it a point to allocate at least about half an hour doing some form of physical activity. It could be something as simple as walking in your living room. There are tons of suggestions and videos online that give you ideas to keep yourself physically active even during a pandemic and a lockdown. This is important as it helps to relieve stress and anxiety and promotes the secretion of feel-good hormones.

Though it may seem like you're home all day during a pandemic, it helps to have a routine. This gives a structure to your day and something to look forward to. In general, human beings thrive on routines and that's because you're focused on the next task on hand instead of worrying about what could happen next week or month. This helps you to stay focused and positive and can greatly assuage the many negative emotions that can take over you when you sit idle.

It is not easy to find the ingredients you want to prepare healthy and delicious meals. Still, it's important you look into your pantry and make the most of what you have. Never skimp on meals as it can have a spiral effect on your moods. Instead, pick simple and nutritious foods that you can cook at home and look around for fruits and vegetables that can boost your immunity. This may also be a good time to start a kitchen garden for easy access to greens and other easy-to-grow vegetables.

Sit in a place, close your eyes, and listen to calming music where all your senses are focused on the music alone. Start with about a minute and slowly increase your time. That's meditation and you'll be surprised at the calming effect it has on your nerves. Yoga postures are also known to calm down your nerves, so that's something you can consider as well.

Now start spreading it with little acts of kindness.

Many people will give anything to be in your position, so think about all that you have, and be thankful for it. Counting your blessings will help you stay strong during a pandemic.