The COVID-19 pandemic has made people around the world afraid of what could happen to them and their closest ones.

The social distance that is recommended doesn’t help much because many people tend to feel lonely and isolated due to this measure.

Stress and anxiety caused by the unknown and the uncertain future do damage to our immune system, our mental state, and our lives in general.
But there are techniques and actions you can try that will reduce the stress levels and relieve the anxiety.

1. Resolve personal conflicts

Conflicts are normal in any relationship but any unresolved issues from before become more obvious and stronger when you are expected to spend most of your time at home, together, under the pressure of the pandemic.

It’s crucial you learn how to respond to conflicts in a healthy, constructive way and learn to listen to what the other person feels and thinks. If you feel you are both stuck, maybe consulting a psychologist or a psychotherapist could help. Of course, the sessions can be held online but they can be equally effective.

Talking to an objective professional could help you resolve conflicts more easily and react less intensive then next time a conflict arises. That will also reduce the amount of stress you’re experiencing.

2. Don’t overwork yourself

A huge number of people are working from their homes now. If you are among them, then you are probably trying to juggle work responsibilities, house chores, and taking your kids to school /kindergarten. The key is to not take too much workload on yourself. You mustn’t feel overwhelmed with work.

Avoid long hours and additional work obligations. That way, you will save yourself unnecessary stress.

3. Plan what you can

The pandemic disrupted many of our plans, giving us worries and fears we have never thought about before.

However, that doesn’t mean that everything is beyond your control. You should first identify all your worries and plans and note them down. Next, which of your worries can be removed in some way and think of the possible solutions.

You may realize that not everything depends on you but that is ok – you shouldn’t waste your time thinking about that. Rather, focus on what you can solve. There must be some concrete problems you are able to solve. By solving them, you will feel better and you will get that feeling back again that some things do depend on you.

4. Do regular exercise

regular exercise

Just because you can’t go to the gym doesn’t mean you should get lazy. Physical activity is not only important for your physical health but it is also excellent at relieving tension and reducing stress. When you are physically active, your body produced endorphins, which are responsible for your good mood.

There are many activities you can do outside that don’t endanger your anybody else’s health. At least a brisk walk around the block every evening can mean a lot. Cycling is a great way to do mild aerobic activity and to change the setting. If you don’t have a decent bike, then visit the closest bicycle shop and find one just right for you.

Cycling is an activity you can do on your own or you can do it as a family and cycle through a park or near the river – nature is always the best option.

Pilates and yoga are activities that can easily be done inside your home, in the backyard, or in the park. There are many online class videos you can use at home. These activities, especially yoga, ease the mind, help you stay focused and relaxed while also being gentle to your body.

5. Do what you love

There are many things and activities we enjoy – we just never really try and find the time to do them. Well, these unusual circumstances make us shift our focus to what we enjoy and what makes us feel good.

If you like reading books, gardening, watching old movies, knitting, or making model planes – this is the period when you should find time to do it.
Hobbies are an excellent way to fight stress and anxiety. They help us stop thinking about our fears and worries and shift our focus to positive feelings.

You not only clear your head when you are doing something you love but you also feel refreshed and full of positive energy afterward. Set a project for yourself – whether to read 5 books in the next month, make something with your own hands, or even learn to dance the tango online. That will keep your mind off the worries and give you something to look forward to.

6. Stay connected

laptop

Social distancing only refers to the physical distance between people. That doesn’t mean you can’t maintain close relationships anymore. people who you love can be with you every day via Skype or Zoom. You can talk and see each other whenever you want, which means a lot in these difficult times.

You can even set an online meeting for members of your family – you can all hang out and chat online, open a bottle of wine (each one their own, of course) and enjoy your time together. You can even play online games created exactly for these situations.

Social media is also a powerful tool when it comes to maintaining relationships. You can stay connected and be included in the lives of those you care about. Now is the time to rip the benefits of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Final words

COVID-19 pandemic has changed our everyday lives in unbelievable ways. It is no wonder that many people are experiencing fear, anxiety, stress, and anger – we cannot function as we are used to.

This is why it is crucial to stay as healthy as possible and to stay away from unnecessary stress. Stress damages our immune system and our standard of life, so make sure you do your best to cope with it as best as you can, every single day.