How to Maintain Mental Health during Lockdown

Threats of world war, virus outbreak, wildlife fires, deaths of prominent personalities, and a never-ending list of disasters, 2020 has truly been a nightmare come true. We are locked inside our homes with no physical contact with the outside world. Phone and televisions have become our new best friends.

Amidst all these enormous changes, we all are suffering from different problems. From financial crisis to deteriorating health, COVID-19 lockdown is indeed the toughest time of our lives. Therefore, maintaining or keeping a check on your mental health is crucial.

While times like these can most likely trigger our vulnerable emotions, it’s important to curb its effect on us both emotionally and physically. So, here are different ways in which you can maintain your mental health at home during this lockdown.

1. Stick to a schedule

While all of us want to sleep away the extra time we've got because of cutting down or traveling to-work hours, it's important to make a definite schedule and follow it regularly.

An active mind and body always stay healthy. So maintaining mental wellbeing, it's better to keep things organized. Make a to-do list for tasks you always wanted to do, eat at regular times, drink plenty of water, set a specific time for binge-watching Netflix, and take breaks between your work-from-home office timings. 

Keeping your mind relaxed by taking small snack breaks might prove to be the best solution for relieving stress and pressure during work hours.

2. Limit yourself from social media

The world of social media seems intimidating and overwhelming at first, but too much of anything is worthless. Social media has become a major source for spreading negativity and fake news. While fake news may not seem to affect you directly, but encountering bad news every time you scroll through your feed can take a toll on your mental health. 

Taking much-needed breaks from social media can relax your mind and bring back the positivity you lack. Moreover, limiting the use of social media can also help you to be more productive with your time.

3. Regular exercise or meditation

Your brain is like a machine, it needs to keep running to function properly. Exercising or meditation acts like a machine oil for your brain, they help the brain to function better.

Exercise is an effective and natural anti-anxiety treatment. Regular exercise relieves tension and stress, enhances well-being, and boosts physical and mental energy through the release of endorphins. Meditation calms your brain and helps in keeping useless thoughts at bay.

So instead of starting your day with a phone on your face, do a good 10 to 30 minutes exercise or meditation. You can also take help from various videos and tutorials for home workouts through YouTube.

4. Don’t keep your emotions to yourself

Talking or sharing your heart out is always a good way for taking off the burden from your shoulders. Talking about your problems openly can help you to relieve your mind and reduces mental stress.

Staying connected to our loved ones is always a blessing. Either dial their numbers or ping them and ask about their physical and mental health, share what’s happening in your life and listen to their story. You will automatically feel better.

If you do not feel comfortable in sharing your life problems, write them down. Always remember to take out what’s in your heart, either by sharing it with someone or penning it down. This will relieve anxiety and help you to keep a check on your mental wellbeing.

Even though we all are locked in our homes, but never let your mental health issues take over your happiness. Do things you love and spend time on yourself and your loved ones. Be grateful for little things and work on yourself. Maintaining your mental wellbeing should be your foremost priority.