TIPS TO KEEPING HEALTHY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Covid-19 Pandemic has impacted our nation in a way that we have never seen before!!!. For many of us, the enormity of the pandemic extends far further than home isolation with many losing access to family, some losing their jobs & livelihoods and others losing their entire way of life.
In order to combat and slow the spread of Covid -19, the introduction of home isolation measures has meant millions of Australians have also found themselves isolated at home, stressed and feeling lonely.
For this reason we have created the following suggestion list, purely as a means of guiding us through the very difficult time that is the Covid 19- Pandemic.
- Stay connected with friends and family: Whilst there are restrictions on physically visiting our parents and friends, there are no restrictions on contacting those close to us via other channels including:
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- Phone calls,
- Face Time,
- Zoom,
- Social media
Remember, many friends and family are often too proud to admit they are feeling lonely. Picking up the phone or taking the first step can be hugely supportive towards our friends and loved ones.
2. Start each day with a plan: Planning your day involves you jotting down a few important tasks that you would like to achieve for the day. It is very important that when tasks are completed that you physically tick them off the list. Ticking items off a list when they are completed helps create “completion recognition” for your nervous system, hence this can help make you feel better about yourself. Taking a few minutes to plan your day can also assist with creating a sense of “purpose”. Creating a “purpose” for each day can be hugely beneficial for our mental health during this crisis.
3. Create a routine: This routine involves:
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- Go to bed and rise in the morning at the same time daily. Avoid late nights and the urge to squander a good night’s sleep by watching midweek late TV.
- Start your day with a nice walk and non-rigorous exercise. It helps set you mentally for the day!
4. Stay active: Remember physical and mental health are frequently dependent on each other. Spending little to no time exercising can directly influence your mental wellbeing and visa versa. Whilst practicing isolation you may wish to consider the following physical activities, Yoga, Body balance, Stretching & Tai Chi. Whilst practicing social distancing you may wish to take a walk around your local area 1-2x per week.
5. Minimise alcohol: Drinking more than 2 standard drinks a day can affect your health seriously over your life. Some of the long term effects of alcohol include:
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- Mental health issues including the increased risk of depression and even suicide. Feelings of “anxiousness”, “pending doom”, being “on-edge” and intermittent bouts of depression are well recorded side effects of excessive alcohol consumption.
- Increased risk of weight gain and diabetes.
- Brain-related conditions including dementia and stroke.
- Liver conditions including liver failure and cirrhosis of the liver.
- Increased risk of certain cancers including bowel cancer, breast cancer, mouth cancer, oesophageal cancer, liver cancer & breast cancer.
6. Stay informed but avoid excess media consumption. Watching too many news channels, watching too much news, reading too many Covid-19 articles can be very overwhelming or be the catalyst for further anxiety. Try to limit your media intake to twice a day and you might decide to select websites or news channels that only give factual information.
7. Be kind to yourself with your own self-talk:Remember, no-one planned for this pandemic and we all are in this together. Now is as important a time as ever to avoid self sabotaging thoughts or words.
8. Show yourself self-Compassion: Rather than saying to yourself “I shouldn’t be feeling like this” try to remember that its “ok to be feeling like this at the moment”. As stated previously, the enormity of change we have endured since the beginning of the pandemic has meant our nervous system has been forced to accommodate overwhelming levels of change. Showing yourself compassion during this process is very important.
9. Try to remember this pandemic will pass. This is perhaps one of the most important affirmations for us to be making on a daily basis.Expressing the belief that the pandemic will pass is hugely supportive towards our health (both physical and emotional).
10. Remember, Chiropractic may help ease some of those body aches and pains. As our emotional loading increases, so too can the stress and tension on our body, muscles and joints. If you are feeling tense, sore, achey or are experiencing body discomfort or pain pick up the phone and book a Chiropractic appointment with Dr Cade at Wellsure Chiropractic (Your Local Caloundra Chiropractor) today. Our phone number is (07) 5438 2008.
