How to manage stress amid the pandemic

It has been a tough year for all of us. With the ongoing pandemic, the public health actions, such as social distancing, are executed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Inevitably, in one way or another, it has made some of us feel isolated, increasing our stress and anxiety and taking a new toll on our mental health.

With remote working still being the go-to for most corporations, work-related stress has emerged. If you are looking for ways to simmer down, look no further! Here are a few tips and tricks on how you can manage stress during these trying times.

1. Stick to a daily routine
   
   

Come up with a daily routine and make sure that you stick to it. Make sure that there is a clear distinction between your working and private life so you will have a sense of control during a time of uncertainty. Divide your day into small activities to prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed. Take out time to do activities that you enjoy, such as walk in the park or spending time with your family. Always remember to take regular breaks from work so that you will not feel burnt out. Lunchtime means lunchtime, which means no checking of any work-related emails or picking up any meeting calls.

2. Limit yourself on COVID-19 news
   
   

It is imperative to keep yourself updated with news related to the pandemic, but excessively checking on such news can lead to one feeling stress and emotionally anxious. Try disconnecting yourself from negative news by setting a time limit and turning off push notifications on news apps and social media, and do a fact check on any news to ensure accuracy. 

3. Exercise regularly
   
   

Physical exercise helps the mind to relax. That does not mean you have to work out intensively or run a marathon every other day. Simple exercise such as a 15-min walk in the park will do the trick as well! If you do not have the time for exercise, try to take active breaks, such as performing household chores or playing with your children.

4. Controlled breathing
   
   

Whenever we are stress, our body will go to either fight or flight mode. This feeling is natural as it helps us to assess and respond to our situation accordingly. However, being in this state for an extended period has a detrimental effect on our physical and mental health; this is where controlled breathing becomes helpful. By purposely slowing down your breathing and regulating your oxygen intake, it can reduce your stress level tremendously. So next time when you feel overwhelmed, try to calm down and regulate your breathing.

5. Communication is key
   
   

Working from home has become the new normal. While many prefer this arrangement, it has robbed us of the social interaction we enjoy when going to the office. Humans are social creatures by nature, and without socializing, we will feel lonely and isolated, causing stress to our mental health. When we communicate with one another, we share our thoughts and emotions, making us feel connected. Even though social distancing rules are in place, that does not mean that we need to stop connecting with our loved ones! Miss your best friend? Give her a call! Do consider having a regular phone or video call with your loved ones, and it can be a great source of support.

We all have different ways of coping with stress, and we would love to hear from you! Do tag us on our social media platform @augustbergofficial when sharing them!