With a large number of people working and schooling from home, there’s a lot more indoor time in our future than usual. Cabin fever can be a serious problem when kids are used to being outside. Adults may even begin to miss the formerly hated morning commute. While the extra time with the family can be great, it can also be a big change to handle. Below we’ve provided suggestions to help you keep you and your family’s spirits up during this time.
Tips for Surviving The Winter Chill And Pandemic
As of the writing of this article, the pandemic is far from over. Things are slowly beginning to swing back towards something resembling normalcy, but there’s still a way to go. Even without COVID, the fall and winter months are ahead. This means a little extra work may be necessary to keep everyone feeling upbeat. Consider the following tips:
- Exercise – Staying active can be a lot harder under the current conditions. Despite that, it’s important to our physical and mental health to keep ourselves in motion. Walking outdoors is fine as long as you wear a mask and social distance. Spend some time in your garden, take care of your yard, and walk your dog. Just stay active.
- Maintain A Routine – Staying isolated can do terrible things to your routine. Every day can begin to look like every other, and the hours can all become a blur. Be certain that you get plenty of sleep. You also want to ensure you’re getting enough water and eating healthy on a regular basis. Another important aspect of this is staying informed but not overinformed. Too much exposure to the news has been shown to promote depression and stress based on information from the World Health Organization.
- Spend Time on Recreation – This is essential to your mental health during the winter and during the pandemic. Engage in things that you enjoy, and set aside time for family recreation as well. Board games, video games, card games, anything that gets you spending time together can help keep everyone going. Don’t force it, however. It’s valid for people to need alone time to cope with isolation as well, odd as that may seem.
- Explore Your Creativity – Learn a new hobby or craft. Maybe you can try out new recipes, pick up a musical instrument, or try a fiber art. Whether you’re building something out of cardboard boxes or learning how to program a computer, it can help your mental health. No matter what the end result is, the process of creating can stimulate the brain and help you feel more uplifted and alert.
These four tips are just the beginning. The important takeaway is that you must take care of both your mental and physical health during this time.
Speak To Your Mental Health Provider For More Guidance
Another important thing that you can do for yourself and your family is schedule time with a counselor. This step ensures that you have a professional available to address specific concerns and issues along the way. Call and schedule a consultation today!
