The COVID-19 pandemic that gripped the world in 2020 was nothing like any of us would have imagined happening in our lifetime. With so much change happening all around you and uncertainty about the future, it’s only natural to feel anxious for yourself, your family, and the world as a whole. One of the most important things you can do for yourself is practice self-care. Small things may make a difference in easing some of your pandemic-related anxieties. Take note of these helpful tips below.
Consume CBD Products
CBD products like tinctures and edibles from reputable suppliers such as Joy Organics might be how you ease some of your anxiety when you’re not feeling in control. While no supplier can say that CBD products help with anxiety, many people describe feeling less stressed and anxious when CBD is in their system.
Current studies may also back up that statement. In a 2015 Neurotherapeutics study on CBD as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders, preclinical evidence ‘conclusively demonstrates CBD’s efficacy in reducing anxiety behaviors relevant to multiple disorders.’
These disorders included post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and others. Human experimental results also supported the preclinical findings and suggested CBD presented nominal sedative effects and a good safety profile.
Eat Healthy Food
If you’re spending a lot more time at home than you used to, it’s easy to get into the habit of indulging in snack foods from the pantry. The occasional bag of potato chips won’t do you much harm, but continually eating high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods just might.
Work hard to give your body the fuel it needs to benefit your physical and mental health. Consume fruits and vegetables as snacks and make unhealthy snack foods a ‘sometimes’ treat.
Prioritize Sleep Routines
During various lockdowns, when most people spend much more time at home, you can get caught in the trap of losing your bedtime routine. You might go to bed during the early hours of the morning and sleep until the afternoon. If you’re not working from home, you may not see the need to go to bed early.
Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health, but try your best to stick to a routine. Aim for between seven and nine hours each night, and try to go to bed at the same time each night before getting up at the same time each morning.
Exercise
Some studies have shown that exercise may positively impact the pathophysiological processes of anxiety. While we’ve known that exercise is good for our physical health for a long time, it may also work wonders for our mental health.
You may not be able to visit your local gym, depending on the restrictions you still face in your area, but there are plenty of exercise options that may suit you. You can go for a walk or run, swim at your local watering hole, and even work out with exercise videos you find online. You may be surprised at how positive you feel after 30 minutes of moderate to intense movement.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness meditation has been growing in popularity throughout the world, especially as people start to realize it can make them feel calm, focused, and less stressed. If you’ve never tried meditating before, consider downloading an app or listening to audio online and following the guided instructions.
Once you start focusing on the feelings in your body and identifying when your mind wanders, you may be in a much better position to remain in control of any anxious feelings you may have.
Stay in Touch With Loved Ones
It can sometimes be hard to remember that we once used to gather with friends, family, and strangers without the concern of catching or spreading COVID-19. It’s now much harder to meet people in person, but that doesn’t mean you have to cut off contact.
If it’s not safe for you to catch up with loved ones in real life, meet with them digitally. Connect with them online through social media or have video calls to catch up as if you were face-to-face. Social isolation can be challenging for many people, but the digital age in which we live has meant we don’t have to be cut off from people even if we’re not in their physical presence.
None of us could have prepared for COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean we have to let it affect our mental wellbeing. If you’re feeling anxious, take a moment to do any of these things above and see if it makes a difference. You may be surprised at how practicing mindfulness, talking to loved ones, and even consuming CBD products may make you feel relaxed.
