While the world battles against a global pandemic isolating the majority of the people and confining them to their homes, a bigger fight continues for those who are single, the struggle of staying alone and out of human touch. While others, married or in a relationship, on the contrary, face problems of strained relations because of a lack of communication and personal space. Here is our latest in our quarantine series of managing the fallout of lockdown through fitness and healthy lifestyle habits. Let’s consider what to do when the stay-at-home order is lifted.
Don’t Get into a Hasty Relationship
This out of the ordinary situation has led most people to either reconcile old toxic relationships or get into hasty new ones without heeding the signs of rebound relationships, thus keeping up with the old concept that you need someone else to be happy. This very thought has pressurized individuals into swiping right on their phones over and over again in hopes of finding someone who might help them get out of their lonesomeness, taking a toll on their mental well-being. If you are experiencing intimacy issues or struggling with a lack of intimacy, be patient, and try not to rush or force anything.
Definitely Don’t Reconcile With a Toxic Ex
While on the other hand, some couples have been pushed in quarantine together, which means there is a constant presence of someone lurking behind them as they make their morning cup of coffee or settle down for a quiet read. While it may seem like an ideal situation to be in, it is not a walk in a park; couples struggle to create a bond due to lack of personal space, killing the spark which might end in a breakup or divorce by the time quarantine is over.
Focus on Your Physical and Mental Health
While news outlets and every other source of information tell you to stay indoors and take care of your physical health, mental health is seeing a significant decline too with people suffering from anxiety, depression, and stress trying to live in a world with lost loved ones, financial crisis and the fear of existing with this new norm.
According to a survey conducted by the Benson Strategy Group, around 55% of Americans say that the pandemic has affected their mental health.
It has also been reported that the percentage of people suffering from anxiety has soared to 49%, which is evidently higher than the previously recorded percentage of 37%.
Before striving to find a new relationship, please take this opportunity to reconcile old differences with your own self, face them rather than running away and pushing them behind a hectic school/work/family life.
Healthy Post-Quarantine Habits
In order to stay healthy indoors both physically and mentally, here are a few tips to help you with self-improvement so you can come out of this crisis with a new outlook towards life and not a new relationship.
- Eat Healthily
Eating junk food has been linked to the development of mental health problems. A healthy diet is also essential in maintaining a robust immune system. As the grocery stores run out of the easy cook, frozen options, let’s find healthier alternatives, which can also give a good mood boost.
- Eat your greens; replace your pizza with a bowl of fruits or vegetables.
- Reduce sugar consumption; limit taking sweets and chocolates with every meal, and cut down the intake of sugary drinks.
- Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water every day.
- Reduce fat consumption; start consuming healthier fats, and avoid fried food.
- Exercise Regularly
While many of us find the thought exhilarating, exercising can help relieve stress and anxiety. Starting with a 15-minute mild intensity workout a few times a week without pushing yourself too much is just what is needed to feel the adrenaline rush at the start of the day. It not only improves your physical health but also mental health by stimulating the release of endorphins that boosts your overall mood.
- Yoga and Meditation
Yoga aids with relieving muscle tension that has calming effects on both the body and the mind. Meditation can help sharpen concentration and build patience.
- Talk it out
Talk to your partner, communicate your problems, and try to find a middle ground. Find that one friend, one family member that you can connect with, and who’s willing to lend an ear. Discuss what’s bothering you and take it off your chest. At times like these, it is important that we don’t overthink haunting possibilities, and a good solution is communicating. If this does not help, seek online therapy.
- Take a break
During the ongoing situation with an excessive amount of time spent on social media, it is easy to think that we need to be doing something productive every single day to be relevant and happy. Sometimes it is okay to take a break. To eat a greasy burger or to skip morning workout to binge-watch a series. Your mind needs rest, just like the rest of your body. It is okay to switch it off and let it be sometimes.
In unpredictable times like these, let us try to find time to help ourselves and love ourselves little by little before we look for someone else to do so for us. Take this as a time to practice patience and control over your life, so once things start getting back to normal, you’re healthier and content with the new norm because the future is unforeseen.
Tags: Healthy Lifestyle, lockdown, pandemic, quarantine, relationship, relationships
