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We could resign ourselves to the dreadfulness of the pandemic, and allow ourselves to deteriorate along with the general state of the world. Indeed, many of us have. Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Joana Baker, however, is having none of that: with five simple steps and a ton of compassion, Joana gives us an injection of optimism to channel into our self-care practices, for everybody’s benefit.

 

A report on mental health data from the COVID-19 pandemic showed a worrying trend. COVID-19’s adverse effects have led to the deterioration of mental health among a large segment of the population. Findings from the US Census Bureau show that more than 42% of Americans reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in December of last year. That’s a huge increase compared to the 11% who reported the same symptoms in the year prior.

 

Amid so many tragedies, it can be difficult to tend to your well-being. But that is precisely why you should do so in the first place. You owe it to yourself to care for yourself. Here are five simple ways you can do just that:

 

Eat Right and Get Enough Hours of Sleep

 

Health is a crucial part of your well-being, so don’t neglect it. Get enough hours of good-quality sleep to help you recharge and face each day. Also, make sure to eat enough nutritious food, even if you don’t feel like it. Nourishing your body is the first step to taking better care of yourself, so make it a habit! Try meal planning if you’re having trouble with sticking to a healthy diet, or if you’re pressed for time during the week. Because when your body is healthy, it’s easier for you to go about your day.

 

Keep an Eye on Your Posture

 

Posture is another thing that can greatly affect your overall health. Proper posture improves spine health, supports your muscles and keeps your blood vessels healthy. Plus, correct posture makes you less likely to suffer from back or neck pain. Fortunately for you, there are plenty of things you can do to improve your posture.

 

One option is to purchase a standing desk. This article on standing desks shares how it can lessen the user’s back pain. Sitting for too long can hurt your back and your posture, so having the option to stand up while doing work is sure to help. You can also get lumbar supports. This review of the best lumbar supports states that the use of these tools can improve your circulation and seated posture. Lumbar supports redistribute pressure and encourage you to sit properly. And once you’ve made that a habit, you’re more likely to carry yourself with a natural, healthy posture. Goodbye, back pain!

 

Get Invested in a Hobby

 

Let’s talk about leisure activities. Now that you have a little more time on your hands, it’s a great opportunity to get into a hobby. This can be anything that you enjoy — gaming, painting or writing, among plenty of other choices. Just be sure to pick an activity that you have fun doing. This feature on making time for hobbies highlights the importance of scheduling it into your day, even if it’s only for a few hours a week. It’s a powerful way to recharge and make time for yourself. Setting a goal for that hobby helps too. For instance, if you’re getting back into reading, try to read a certain number of books per month. This will motivate you to read more!

 

Stay in Touch with Loved Ones

 

Social connection can do wonders when you’re cooped up in your home for so long. Positive social interactions can greatly improve one’s mental and physical well-being, so it’s worth scheduling some video calls with friends and family. Ask them how they are and if they’ve been keeping safe. They’re sure to appreciate the gesture! To make sessions more interesting, you can even host a game night or a movie marathon with your loved ones.

 

Love Yourself

 

Finally, you need to remember to love yourself. Yes, the world is in a really scary state, but that isn’t an excuse to let yourself go. In another one of our blog posts, we talk about the importance of loving oneself despite the challenges that come with it. We could all benefit from allowing ourselves to love ourselves. It ensures that we care for our bodies the right way and gives us a more optimistic outlook on ourselves. So, loving yourself is essential, especially in such difficult times.

 

How are you taking care of yourself during these challenging times? Give us some tips in the comments below, or share them with supportive peers at a Conscious Connections meeting!