Key wellness tips during a pandemic

The pandemic has not been a friend to many people over the past year. With millions forced to cancel plans and be isolated from their loved ones, just getting from one day to the next has been a real struggle. It's taken a significant toll on people's mental and physical wellbeing, prompting them to break the rules just to regain some sanity.

Thankfully, you don't need to defy the restrictions that are in place if you want to look after yourself right now. While things are definitely tough at the moment, there's still plenty that you can do to improve your wellness.

Remember, you're not alone in this, and with these six tips, you'll be able to see things through to the other side.

Don't Compare Yourself To Others

People view the pandemic in different ways. Obviously, on the whole, the population considers this a frightening, stressful, and unpredictable time. However, even some of those who are afraid of the current situation still see it in a positive light. They believe that being stuck inside for weeks is the perfect opportunity to start a new hobby, do a bit of redecorating, or something else productive.

While that's a perfectly valid mindset and they're not wrong, that doesn't mean you have to treat the pandemic in the same way. It's equally valid to spend your days sleeping, watching TV, playing games, and just generally getting by. No-one said you have to use this time wisely.

Unfortunately, a lot of people forget that, and it's taken a toll on their mental health. Hearing about what other people have achieved makes them feel worse about their lack of productivity, with social media only heightening the issue. Comparison culture has always been bad on these platforms, but the pandemic has only worsened the situation.

If this is something that's affected you, try to limit your online use and remember that no one's expecting anything from you right now. If you make it out the other side of the pandemic happy and healthy, that's the biggest win anyone could ask for.

Try To Maintain A Routine

Although you're free to pass the time in whatever way you see fit, it's still a good idea to try and maintain a routine during the pandemic. This is especially the case if you're not working at the moment and have nothing to really separate one day from the next.

By keeping a consistent sleeping pattern, eating at your usual times, and following your regular hygiene routines, you might find your current situation a little easier to handle. These things provide each day with a structure, thereby giving you more purpose to wake up in the morning. Having that alone can help keep some of those negative thoughts at bay and may even motivate you to try something productive.

You don't have to abide by these every single day, but just try not to fall out of the habit of following your routines. Otherwise, your mental wellbeing could start to suffer.  

Wear Protective Gear

Every time you leave the house, there's a risk that you'll be exposed to the virus. Obviously, keeping your distance from people can reduce the chances of catching it, but that alone isn't enough to save you from COVID-19.

It's important that you protect yourself when in public by using personal protective equipment (PPE). Most establishments now require a face covering before you can enter them, so an N95 mask makes for a good purchase. Hand sanitiser is also worthwhile, especially if you go somewhere you handle things other people may have touched.

Given the dangers that COVID-19 poses to your health, protecting yourself against it is vital. Being stuck inside for months will be a lot harder to cope with if you catch the virus, which won't do your wellness any good. Fortunately, with the help of this protective equipment, you can significantly boost your chances of staying healthy while out of the house.

Find A Safe Way To Exercise

It's not a good idea to sit around all day without getting any exercise. Unfortunately, in the middle of a pandemic, it can be hard keeping active while ensuring that you stay safe.

Some people find that going out for walks or runs is a good solution. Obviously, when you're outdoors, it's easier to keep your distance from people, making the transmission of the virus a lot harder. However, that doesn't mean it's 100% safe, so those who are more vulnerable might not feel comfortable leaving the house for exercise.

If you're hesitant about the outside world right now, there's plenty of options available at home. YouTube is full of yoga and workout videos that are easy to do, and there are plenty of exercise games that you can buy on consoles as well. If you have the money, you can invest in some equipment, but this isn't a necessity. There's a lot that you can do without spending a penny.

Build And Nourish Connections

They say you don't know what you have until its gone, and that can definitely be applied to loved ones in this pandemic. A lot of people have struggled with not being able to visit friends and family over the last year, particularly those who live alone.

Thankfully, this is the modern age where distance doesn't have to keep us apart from those we care about. There are plenty of ways you can stay in touch during the pandemic, from phone calls to video messaging. If you're struggling, it might be a good idea to avoid social media as this could spark feelings of envy and insecurity. However, there's all manner of online forums that might help you get the social contact you crave.

Whatever method you go about talking to people, it's important to try and keep conversations going. After all, being isolated from others can provide the perfect conditions for negative thoughts to thrive, which isn't what you want.

Attempt Mindful Meditation

It's easy for your mental wellbeing to spiral out of control in this pandemic, especially when each passing day brings no positive change. If you want to stop that from happening, a good thing to try is mindful meditation.

Practices like this are always good when you're suffering on the inside because they help you to take a step back and calm down. Through mindful meditation, you may find it a lot easier to separate your positive thoughts from the negative ones, and ultimately do away with the latter.

People tend to use activities like this as a way to battle stress, anxiety, and other mental disorders, with scientific evidence suggesting that it can help with certain symptoms. It might not rid you of these problems, but it can clear your mind and give you the strength to tackle each new day with a bit more positivity. With everything that's happening right now, just being able to smile every day is all that some people need to keep them going.

It's hard to say when this pandemic nightmare will be over, so until things start to become a bit more normal, do what you can to look after yourself. Hopefully, these tips have shown you how to cope with the current situation, and they'll help you stay both physically and mentally fit over the coming weeks and months.