2020 has been a hard year for most people. With lockdowns happening left and right and even schools and movie theaters being closed down, it’s like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie. With the end of the year in sight, some welcome the respite from what they see as 2020 troubles. Others are a little skeptical and think that the troubles might lessen, but they’re far from over.
Being locked down is one thing; being locked down away from family and friends is another. Unfortunately, that happened to many people, and it can be sad when you’re stuck in this situation. You might end up losing touch with reality, having conditions like depression worsen, and develop troubling thoughts which, of course, you shouldn’t entertain.
We all deserve a little help. Here’s what you can do if you think you’re feeling a little too sad for comfort.
1. Step Out of the Ordinary
Some studies show that humans do things out of habit. It becomes a routine for them, and when they finally are taken out of that routine, they are then thrust into an unfamiliar — and usually uncomfortable — situation. You must try to avoid having to get up each day and try to do things quickly. If you fail, you might end up becoming anxious for the rest of the day.
A new routine can always work wonders. If you feel you’ve started the day wrong, try out a different way of doing things than when you’re supposed to. You could end up discovering something new that you’ll like better.
2. Choose Comforting Habits
Speaking of habits, you should look at yours. If you’ve got a few that you don’t like doing, you should seriously consider changing them. During the pandemic, you should actively try to find things that give you comfort and do those instead — like taking the best acupuncture money can buy, for instance. If you don’t like walking, why not try substituting it with something like going for a bicycle ride or jogging? Try to do things that are conducive to sleep a little nearer to your sleep time as well.
3. Adjust to Live with a New, Pervasive Normal
The pandemic has caused something to happen that people usually don’t have time to deal with. They deal with those people who are now demanding not to wear masks, making it seem that these people are routinely breaking the rules.
Keeping your loved ones safe is a priority, one that tops all others. If you see people blatantly not following rules about social distancing and other policies meant to stifle the spread of the virus, it could be a source of unwanted stress for most people – yourself included, possibly.
4. Take a Walk on a Nature Trail
Keeping safe with all the protocols in place is best, but that doesn’t mean that you should keep from doing things you love doing the most. If you don’t have a garden at your home, then you should perhaps consider taking a walk on a nature trail. Of course, you should make sure that you’re keeping safe and away from everyone else. It’s what the Japanese call ‘forest bathing,’ a form of caring for the self.
If you find yourself more irritable or acting out of the ordinary during the pandemic, consider changing your lifestyle or re-tooling a routine. You’ll find that avoiding stress may require spending more time with nature or doing something you haven’t done before. Don’t you think it’s time for a change, after all?
