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3 Ways to Combat Stress During COVID
Earlier this summer, 40 percent of adults reported struggling with anxiety, depression and stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study for the Centers for Disease Control. All this time in lockdown is taking its toll on mental health. But, there are some proven methods for combating stress during difficult times. Remember to turn off the TV, take care of yourself and if all else fails, breathe.
Limit Media
This is easier said than done, but it can really help to reduce anxiety. The barrage of news about the COVID-19 pandemic can be distressing. A study from the Pew Research Center published in April found that four in 10 Americans say they feel worse emotionally after following the news, and seven in 10 say they need to take breaks from hearing about the coronavirus. Do your best to limit time on social media, as well as watching, reading or listening to the news. You can use a setting on your phone to turn off certain apps after a set amount of time, and this can help to remind you to step back and focus on another activity.
Take Care of Yourself
Eating right, sleeping and getting exercise are always instant mood boosters. Now it’s more important than ever to try to eat healthy, get a good 8 hours of sleep per night and move your body. A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that even just one hour of exercise per week – no matter the intensity – could help prevent depression. And another study published in the Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry showed that people who sleep fewer than eight hours per night are at a more substantial risk of anxiety and depression.
Just Breathe
Sometimes a few deep breaths can make all the difference. A 2019 study published in the Journal of American College Health found that yogic breathing and mindfulness practice greatly reduced stress among students, compared with cognitive stress-reduction methods like talking and time-management techniques. The students who learned yogic breathing were also taught to deal with stress as a regular part of life, rather than trying to overcome it. These students showed no changes in their breathing or heart rates during stress tests compared to the cognitive group, which showed significant increases. Deep breathing can give you something to focus on rather than getting dominated by negative thoughts. Take a beat and a breath to calm yourself down.
