Use These Expert Tips to Fight Boredom & Stress

In the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing is important. However, it’s not easy. Self-isolation can affect your mental health. Depression, boredom, sleep problems, fear, and loneliness are some common health issues among people in this hard time.

In the pandemic, there has been reported a significant increase in the use of anti-anxiety medications. That clearly means that more people are suffering from mental health issues. However, anti-anxiety drugs aren’t safe. They may lead to certain side-effects—blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and lack of concentration.

So, what’s the solution? Read on to learn about the effective ways to fight boredom and stay happy amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Make a Routine

This will solve a lot of your problems. The most important benefit is—staying organized during the day. Without creating a routine, it’s difficult to complete your daily tasks on time. And, that makes you more anxious.

Get a personal notebook, and set your time for everything from getting up till going to bed. For example, you can create a daily to-do list adding tasks such as preparing meals, feeding the pets, doing home exercises, etc. On the opposite side of each task, write down the estimated time of completion. This way, you will be able to deal with the problem of organizing tasks, thus will stay active and relaxed.

Make your quarantine routine, follow it for a few days, and see the difference. This will surely help you reduce anxiety and promote happiness.

Exercise Regularly

This is necessary. Regular exercise not only helps you stay fit physically but mentally as well. By adding workouts in your daily routine, you will be able to lower anxiety, boredom, and improve sleep and energy levels. Medical research says that when you exercise, the body releases anandamide. It’s a chemical neurotransmitter, which is responsible for regulating brain function.

Exercising will keep you active since you aren’t leaving home for stretches. Additionally, it will strengthen your immune system. 

For exercising, you don’t need a gym. You can do home workouts without using any fitness equipment. Push-ups, squats, plank, etc. are some of the best exercises you can perform on the terrace or basement. Moreover, there are plenty of exercises that can be done using a yoga mat.

A 2016 study found that walking can help you stay happy and reduce the feelings of boredom. This is true for indoor workouts. However, if local authorities allow you to go out for a walk, make sure you maintain a 6-feet distance from others and wear a safety mask.

Upskill With Online Courses

This is another great way to boost mental health. In the COVID-19 pandemic, you have a lot of free time, so why not utilize it to upgrade your skill set. However, it’s better to learn something new rather than staying on the couch for hours. 

You can search for a wide range of free online courses in different categories—health, digital marketing, photography, etc. Devoting yourself to online learning will keep you busy, thus reducing stress. Your mind will say—I’m growing and learning new things. Instead of saying—I just wasted a couple of hours without doing anything.

Interact With Pets

Animals have amazing mood-boosting properties. Interacting with pets can help you with love and comfort to elevate your mood and alleviate tensions. Medical researchers have confirmed that caring for animals is effective in managing anxiety and stress.

Also Read- How Can an ESA Help You Boost Mental Health?

Pet therapy is the best way to boost mood amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s better than antidepressants and other prescription medications. When you feel bored, your dog will sit into your eyes and help you get out of that stressful situation. Research says that pets provide emotional support to deal with loneliness, which can trigger severe health issues.

However, to receive complete emotional support from pets, make sure they are healthy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So, you need to take care of their regular exercise, feeding routines, etc.

Stay Connected With Your Support Network

Of the many problems created by the coronavirus outbreak, one is affecting the social life of people. Hanging out with friends, going out for a movie with family, birthday parties, shopping together…these are some of the activities that provide mental health benefits such as anxiety relief, reduced stress, etc. But, this time, these are not possible.

So, what’s the solution to stay connected with your support network? Use online services. Do a Whatsapp call or do a Facebook messenger chat to talk to your friends and colleagues. When you learn a new recipe or read a book, do a quick internet call to share with your friends. This will make you happy.

Additionally, it’s good to do comprehensive discussions related to dealing with common mental health issues. You can get help with strategies others are using to end excessive worrying and sleep problems.

Clean Your Home

Doing the chores allows you to clean your living space as well as utilize your time effectively. When you walk-in a neat, fresh room, you will feel relaxed. Additionally, this will improve your focus.

If you are working from home, a quick 20-min tidy up is enough. Remember, a messy bedroom is linked to poor sleep, a messy kitchen is linked to more time in food preparation. So, it’s good to list doing the chores at the top in your daily to-do list.

However, you should do decluttering carefully. You can take the help of your family members for handling heavy objects such as furniture, almirah, etc.

Seek Professional Help Online

If you are unable to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress, it’s advised to seek professional help. Talk to a mental health professional, discuss your condition, and get a customized treatment plan.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, prefer seeing a therapist online rather than visiting a clinic physically. Getting medical support through telemedicine takes a few minutes and it’s 100 percent safe. Here’s the process-

• Sign up an account
• Talk to a therapist online through HIPAA-compliant platform
• Receive your prescription letter in PDF format via email

Also Read- Why You Should Switch to Telehealth Amid COVID-19 Crisis?

The Takeaway

Boredom, sleep problems, excessive worrying, and depression are common among people living in their homes amid COVID-19. Although antidepressants and other anxiety medications can help you improve mental health, they can cause certain side-effects. However, several lifestyle habits can help you boost mood and relieve stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Do home workouts, this will help you produce anandamide—the bliss molecule. Spend time with your pet, this will make you feel good while taking all your tensions away. Learn something new, this will keep you busy, thus preventing your mind from generating unwanted, negative thoughts. Talk to your friends and family online, this will help you get support to deal with your mental health issues.

Need professional help for managing anxiety, depression, or stress during the coronavirus pandemic? Talk to a licensed doctor at a trusted Southern California medical clinic.