With the world continuing to grapple with a once-in-a-century pandemic, it’s easy to see why so many of us are dealing with mounting stress levels. The threat presented by COVID-19 and its variants has impacted virtually every aspect of our daily lives to some extent. Furthermore, with a truly staggering number of Americans refusing to get vaccinated, the situation only continues to spiral. As such, there’s little wonder as to why relaxing one’s mind amidst these troubled times can seem so difficult. If you’ve been dealing with untenable stress in the wake of the pandemic, chilling out may appear to be an uphill battle, but as you’ll find, it’s by no means impossible.
Get Vaccinated
Given the ready availability of vaccines in the United States and the fact that said vaccines are available free of charge, you have no excuse to not be vaccinated – unless, of course, you suffer from a medical condition that prohibits vaccination. Not only does getting vaccinated contribute to public health, it can also provide you with peace of mind. Although being fully vaccinated shouldn’t be regarded as an all-purpose shield against COVID-19 infection, vaccination dramatically diminishes the likelihood of you developing a serious or fatal case of the novel coronavirus. So, if you’ve spent the last 18 months experiencing fully justified stress about the virus in question (and even if you haven’t), get vaccinated at your earliest possible convenience – and encourage others to do the same.
Engage in Meditation and Deep Breathing Exercises
Taking up meditation and/or deep breathing exercises can prove highly conducive to mental calm. In addition to helping relax your mind, such pastimes can help place certain things in the proper perspective and change the way you approach various parts of life. Starting each morning with meditation or deep breathing exercises can ensure that you’re able to face the day ahead with a calm and clear mind. Similarly, ending the day with either of these pastimes will enable you to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest without the baggage of a cluttered mind.
Additionally, don’t let a lack of prior experience prevent you from taking up meditation or deep breathing exercises. In addition to the countless books on both subjects, there is a bevy of online tutorials and meditation apps that can teach you the basics in a timely and stress-free manner. Furthermore, if you’re unaccustomed to relaxing, don’t get discouraged if you’re unable to attain inner peace right away. This isn’t a race, and some brains simply need more time to adjust than others.
Reconnect with Friends and Family Members
The ongoing threat of COVID-19 may prevent you from seeing certain friends and family members as often as you’d like, particularly if the individuals in question are immunocompromised. If you’ve grown accustomed to seeing these people on a regular basis, not being able to interact with them in person is liable to facilitate anxiety. In situations like these, it’s important to remind yourself that the people you care about aren’t gone. Fortunately, with all the advances in technology, the past decade has ushered in, this shouldn’t prove terribly difficult. So, if there are any special people who you miss terribly, don’t hesitate to reconnect via video chat, text, phone call, or social media.
Experiment with Cannabis
If you live in a state with legalized recreational cannabis use, experimenting with strains that are known to relieve stress may help facilitate a calmer mind. If you’re new to cannabis or are simply looking for good recommendations on the stress relief front, consult with an expert at your preferred dispensary. For example, City of Angels residents in the market for weed expertise should seek out a highly-rated Los Angeles dispensary.
When living in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, relaxation is liable to seem like a far-off prospect. Although the ready availability of vaccines is an encouraging sign, the refusal of millions of Americans to get said vaccines are quite the opposite. Unsurprisingly, the combination of the novel coronavirus, newly-emerged COVID-19 variants, and way too many people walking around unvaccinated can leave even the calmest individual riddled with stress. So, if a relaxed mindset is what you’re after, but the pointers discussed above to good use.
