How To Stay Sane During A Global Pandemic: Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Facts
Many teenagers and young adults are struggling to adjust to living in quarantine and trust me, it isn’t easy. Here are some helpful tips that might keep you from losing your mind.
Breathing exercises– According to Newport Academy, 32% Of all American teenagers have an anxiety disorder of some sort. Getting your breathing under control can help you relax when you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious. They can even help you sleep better at night. – Focus on your breathing and let everything else fade away, until it’s just a distant hum. Breathe in, through your nose and out through your mouth. Try to breathe with your stomach, not your chest. Notice how it requires more focus? Can you feel your stomach rising up and down as you breath, while your chest stays still? Now, lie flat on your back and try it. You will be able to see the difference more clearly.
Physical and emotional awareness checks– Sometimes you’re so focused on your own stress and anxiety that you lose awareness of not only your physical surroundings, but your mental state and your emotions as well. – Physical Awareness: Take a minute to think about your diet. How much exercise did you get today? Okay, good. So, how’s your posture, at this very moment. Listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs.
Easy sleep tips – More than likely, you’re awake and thinking about stuff when you should be asleep. The National Sleep Foundation states that over 87% of highschool students get significantly less sleep than the recommended eight to ten hours. Sleep is a very important variable for a teenager’s mental and physical health, as well as the growth and development of the brain. – Listen to something that makes you feel calm. Such as calming music, ASMR videos, listening to audiobooks, or meditation videos. These can all be found on various platforms such as YouTube and apps designed to help with anxiety and insomnia, such as “Aura” and “Calm”. You can even find calming music or sleep meditation on Spotify!
Coping Methods– Are you struggling to deal with your emotions? Well, you’re not alone. Many Psychologists have stated that more teenagers today deal with depression or anxiety than ever before. – Take breaks from social media, even if it’s just for a couple of hours. Having a constant flow of information right at your fingertips can actually start to stress you out, without you even realizing it. Weather it’s good or bad, new information can increase anxiety. Over time, this anxiety starts to build up and you might end up freaking out over a minor inconvenience.
Organization tricks and hacks– Staying organized is a great way to keep yourself motivated. Your surroundings can do a great deal on your mental state, as well as increase productivity. – Keep your workspace clean. Pick up any trash or clutter that’s piled up on your desk, so you have a nice area to work in. This way, you won’t have to worry about making space or losing something important.
These are just some of the ways you can stay sane during a global pandemic. Please remember,YOU ARE NOT ALONE! As much as you might be struggling, there is always a way to make life, just a little easier.
