How to Prioritize Your Wellbeing During a Pandemic
Living in the age of COVID-19 isn’t easy. And at the end of long days where time is warped, it’s the last thing we want to talk about. It’s exhausting, but it’s also made us realize our mental, physical and financial wellbeing are more important than ever before. It’s essential that we take the time to tend to our needs so that we can show up recharged and re-energized for the next day. But, how do we make mental and physical health a priority when everything else seems so amplified?
We’re not out of the woods yet
I tested positive for COVID-19 back in March. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life – not only because I felt terrible, but because I worried about getting others sick, especially my loved ones. After three long weeks of not feeling well, I thought I was out of the woods. A couple months after I overcame the initial symptoms, I wanted to believe so badly that I was healed and completely better. So I jumped back into everything full force: Working, socially-distant gatherings, moving from our place in the city into a new environment.
I ignored the fact that I still didn’t feel 100% because I wanted COVID-19 to go away. Maybe if I just wished it away, it wouldn’t be real anymore. And for a while that worked, I was distracting myself with the New England springtime and summertime – even though it wasn’t really the same, I was going to the beach and being out in nature – and it was good for my soul. I didn’t take it slow as I should have, though. Here I am almost five months later and I still don’t feel like myself and I have residual symptoms that some days I just can’t shake.
Finding new tools to improve wellbeing
Although my individual experience may be different, I know I’m not alone when I say my mental and physical wellbeing could be better. Collectively, our anxiety is worse than ever. So, what do we do to improve our wellbeing while living in an always-on, overwhelming culture? We find new ways of doing things since the old ways aren’t working anymore. Here are 8 ways to cultivate more wellbeing into your everyday life:
Turn off the news. It’s good to stay informed, it’s not good to live in fear.
Move your body and listen to what your body needs: Get outside and walk, do yoga, go for a run, ride a bike.
Spend time in nature: Listen to the birds, plant flowers and watch them grow, read your book outside.
Eat nutritious foods, but don’t panic about weight gain or over-eating. Remember that we’re living through a pandemic, don’t be too hard on yourself.
Take regular breaks from social media and stop comparing yourself to others.
Journal your feelings: Use a pen and paper and get all your thoughts out, it’s cathartic.
Be kinder to yourself and give yourself credit for how far you’ve come. This kindness will radiate out towards others.
Embrace slow living: We don’t have to rush to get places or have FOMO about missing parties anymore. Focus on finding happiness in your own backyard.
Remember that it’s a journey
I’m embracing the fact that my journey is ever-changing and ever-evolving. Whether you’ve had COVID-19 or not, its presence takes a toll on you mentally and physically. My own journey has been extremely private because I didn’t want to face the facts that maybe I’m still not ok. But I’m hoping to shed light on it to help others, trying to take it one day at a time and giving myself the breaks I need.
Remember to go easy on yourself – you don’t have to do everything you used to. The world is changing and so are we: Do what works for you and keep your own wellbeing at the core of everything you do. From my own experience as an empathic introvert, when we put the concerns of everyone else before our own, we’re left pouring from an empty cup. Let’s vow to take better care of ourselves now and into the future so that we can feel our best and bring our best selves to whatever it is that we’re doing.
**Taking care of your mental health is important. If you’re struggling (or even if you’re not), you may want to consider talk therapy. BetterHelp offers online therapy options to fit your own schedule.
When Meghan Barrett, Boston-based content contributor, isn’t writing about wellness, work or places to go in Boston, she’s whipping something up in the kitchen or practicing yoga at her local studio. Keep up with her adventures on Instagram @meegzb.
You may also like
