Managing Stress in a Global Pandemic

As the world begins to return to a sense of normalcy, some may start to believe that the beginning of the end of the pandemic has finally come. More and more individuals are receiving their first or second doses of the vaccine, restaurants, and gyms have begun to open to full capacity, and the CDC has begun to reduce restrictions on mask-wearing for vaccinated folks. Despite this, we are more stressed than ever. The American Psychological Association (APA) has reported that Americans are significantly more stressed in the year since the pandemic truly began to shape our lives than ever before. Mental health is just as important to maintain as physical health. So what can you do to cope with stress? Read on for some tips and tricks on surviving stress as we transition into a post-pandemic world.

Different Ways to Manage Your Stress

Stress is nothing new. We all experience stress from time to time. However, if your stress becomes overwhelming to the point where you are unable to function properly and complete daily tasks or your stress makes you feel ill, then it is time to actively work towards managing your stress. 

There are many ways you can go about managing stress. Some are short-term that you could do quickly at an office or on your commute, and some are more long-term and require more of a lifestyle change. The best methods are ultimately the ones that you can maintain over time and find effective in treating your stress. 

Short-Term Methods 

Short-term methods are great for when you are on the go or when your stress creeps up on you at the moment. Some short-term strategies for managing stress include: 

• Meditation, where you focus on your breathing and noticing when your mind wanders from this task.
• Using guided imagery, where focusing on imagining a relaxing image such as a waterfall can lead to the relaxation of the body and the mind. 
• Taking a walk is a great way to calm the mind and focus on your physical self rather than getting overwhelmed by your emotional self. 
• Engaging in the 5-4-3-2-1 method when you feel overwhelmed can be a helpful way to bring yourself back into the moment when your mind is racing. 

Long-Term Methods

If your stress has become a hindrance to your daily life it may be best to consider how a lifestyle change can better help you manage your stress. Some long-term strategies for managing stress include: 

• Eating a well-balanced diet full of complex carbohydrates and antioxidants can help relieve your stress, boost your immune system, and more. 
• Incorporating exercise into your daily routine such as swimming, biking, weight lifting, running, yoga, and walking. 
• Ensuring you get your 8-hours of sleep is crucial for maintaining your stress levels. Using short-term stress management techniques such as those mentioned above can help lull you to sleep if you are finding it difficult. 
• Taking a thoroughly researched and tested supplement such as Biotics Research De-Stress™ which promotes relaxation without drowsiness, can aid in sleeplessness, and works with the body to regulate the natural stress response. 

Conclusion

Although the restrictions surrounding the pandemic have begun to relax, that does not mean that we have as well. If stress has become a constant hindrance in your daily life, attempting to incorporate short-term and long-term methods of stress relief into your daily routine can be helpful. As always, it is important to speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have, whether they do be for your mental or physical health.