5 Ways to Self-Care During the Second Wave
This January, post-holiday blues combined with the stress associated with the pandemic are making us all much more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. So be kind to yourself, your family members and those you interact with behind a mask. Listen to health experts across the country who strongly recommend including a few mindful exercises in our daily routine among other tips to be well.
Take Care of Yourself
Don’t fall into bad habits. Shower and get dressed every day. Set up a healthy daily routine that seeks to find balance in your life. Be sure to eat well and find time to exercise. Try starting a meditation or mindfulness practice. Apps like Calm or Headspace are a great introduction.
Recognize You’re Not Alone
Many people are suffering right now. Make the time and effort to connect with those you love, even if it’s a simple phone call or facetime chat. Feeling ambitious, invite family or friends to play a game via Zoom. There are some great game apps that work really well!
Limit Your Screen Time
Forced to stay indoors, for many Canadians screen time has increased quite a bit. Try to limit the amount of time you spend watching tv or doom scrolling. You’re not hearing more news, just the same bad news over and over. Take up knitting, read more books or learn a new hobby.
Clear Away Clutter
When a room is cluttered, it can create emotional tension for inhabitants. Stay on top of chores and try to clear surfaces. If you’ve been working from home, things can start to pile up. Don’t wait until spring to clean and purge those items you don’t need.
Seek Help
You can find support through an online support group or even access online psychotherapy. Your family physician should be able to lead you in the right direction. In addition, the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH) is a good resource.
