The Covid-19 pandemic has had huge impacts on us all, some more than others. A huge proportion of people have suffered from some kind of mental impact due to the pandemic and the lockdowns which came with it. As restrictions are starting to lift in some countries, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed at the thought of socialising with people again and getting back into the swing of things again.
Being in lockdown is hard for many different reasons and as we start to slowly come out of the other side, looking after your wellness and mental wellbeing is vital to avoid you from feeling overwhelmed, uneasy or stressed. Whilst it is great that we can start seeing family and friends again and doing normal activities, such as eating out, travelling and socialising, if you’re feeling anxious or worried about these activities, then you’re less likely to enjoy them. With this in mind, here are 5 ideas you can use to boost your wellness after lockdown.
Top Tips For Improving Your Wellness
Keep Active
In lockdown, it was hard to find different ways to keep active. As gyms and fitness classes are starting to return and reopen, it’s important that you continue to exercise and keep active in order to relieve stress, increase your energy and boost your mood & wellness.
Being active isn’t only great for your physical health, but research shows that it can also significantly improve your mental wellbeing and mindfulness by raising your self-esteem, as exercise can increase serotonin and endorphin levels in your brain. Try to find fitness activities that you enjoy, because if you feel as though you need to spend hours in the gym, you won’t enjoy exercise or benefit from the after-effects. Why not use this time to find something that you really enjoy, such as kayaking, rock climbing or even dance classes?
Find A Routine That Works For You & Your Wellness
After being in lockdown for so long, readjusting to having a busy schedule can be daunting. If you’ve been working from home and are returning to the office or are suddenly overwhelmed with weekend plans, then take a step back and try to find a routine that works best for you. Having a structured day can help to keep us grounded and focused, but it’s important to adjust your schedule and structure to fit you.
If you feel more productive in the mornings, then wake up earlier and try to fit in your workouts then, rather than leaving it until later in the evenings when you’re less likely to do it. If you’re more of a night owl, why not schedule in some social events then, when you feel more relaxed? Creating a schedule and taking your mindfulness into consideration is hugely important.
Eat A Healthy Diet
When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it’s common to just want to reach for unhealthy foods and processed snacks. A lot of people eat depending on their moods, and often unconsciously create a link between eating bad and feeling bad. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet is hugely important, even when you’re not feeling 100%.
If you’re back working in the office, try to mix up your dinners to make things more interesting or use this time to try out some new, healthy recipes in the evenings. Make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, proteins and whole foods and grains, whilst also drinking plenty of water. Multivitamins can also help to boost your nutrient and vitamin intake and to support your immune system,
Prioritise Your Sleep
Getting plenty of rest and around 8 hours of sleep per night will help to keep you both physically and emotionally healthy, so it is important that you prioritise your sleep schedule as lockdown restrictions ease. If you noticed your sleeping pattern change during lockdown and found that you couldn’t drift off as easily, or kept waking up during the night, then try to address this now.
Chances are that, if you’re getting back to some kind of normality, you’ll feel more tired anyway, but if sleep disruptions are continuing, take a look at your sleep environment and schedule. If your bedroom lets a lot of light in, then look at ways in which you can make it darker. If your bedroom is draughty or gets too warm, then this can also affect your sleep quality. Look to make your bedroom a sleeping haven, with nice bedding, relaxing scents and even perhaps a white noise machine. If you are still struggling to get to sleep, then why not do some relaxing yoga as part of your sleep routine? This will not only help you to unwind and relax but also help your overall mindfulness.
