As the pandemic has continued to stretch on, we’ve all put much effort into coping with the stress of prolonged isolation. We’ve turned to baking, gardening, and exercising, among many others. In this list, we take you through our ranking of popular de-stressing methods during the COVID lockdown. We ranked them based on how healthy they are for both body and mind and any downsides they might have.
4.) Spa treatments
Going to the spa to get pampered is a classic way to de-stress. The moment that you step in, all your senses are engaged in relaxing stimuli. This ranks last on our list because we don’t want to encourage you to go outside. If you find that you can’t go on without a massage, make sure the wellness center you’re planning on will follow COVID restrictions. See to it that those administering massage therapy and other services are wearing full PPEs.
The best alternative is to order spa equipment online to carve out a relaxation space for yourself at home. There are also online classes for learning how to give massages. If you’re in quarantine with someone, maybe you can take the classes together and practice on each other so you can help each other to relax.
3.) Baking
Most of us have guessed from our social media feeds that baking supplies have seen a significant sales increase since the lockdown started. Our obsession with stress-baking at this time stems from the fact that baking is a form of mindfulness and meditation. It requires you to be paying attention to what you’re doing, effectively helping you forget about your anxiety. Baking for other people is a form of kindness that boosts our wellbeing – so it’s a form of kindness to the self too.
But the only reason why baking doesn’t rank higher on our list has to do with what you’re baking and how much of it you’re eating. Sweets might be comfort foods, but too much of them might just be making your pandemic insomnia worse. Remember to eat sweets in moderation. Remind yourself to share your baked goods with others instead of keeping them to yourself. That said, baking is also a good business opportunity if you’re looking to make a few extra bucks.
2.) Gardening
Surrounding yourself with plants and nature is good for you, and so is the process of planting and nurturing them in your home. It’s an outdoor activity that also counts as exercise, so it gives you all the benefits of exercise and a much-needed dosage of vitamin D. Exposure to sunlight also helps regulate our circadian rhythms, which can help us sleep better.
Another benefit of gardening is that it’s also a social activity, so you can do it with your family or whomever you’re in quarantine with. If you have kids in your household, it’s a good idea to get them involved in vegetable gardening. This will teach them how food is grown and encourage them to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diets.
1.) Exercise
This is arguably one of the best coping mechanisms for this prolonged isolation period. Exercise lowers inflammation in the body and reduces the risk of getting several diseases. It’s also an instant mood booster and helps relieve tension and anxiety, helping to ease insomnia. Many fitness programs managed by credible institutions and individuals are available online.
There are different kinds of exercise regimens that you can turn to depend on your goals and health conditions. For example, high-intensity workouts are fit for those who want to burn a lot of calories fast. Those who prefer low-impact workouts might opt for barre classes. If you have any medical concerns, it’s best to consult your physician or a personal trainer about what workout regimen will suit you best.
Prolonged isolation has affected all of our moods and wellbeing. We hope you found this ranking of popular de-stressing methods helpful.
