The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted almost all aspects of daily life. In a bid to tame the contagion, various governments and authorities have put in place stringent measures and restrictions on everyday activities. Some governments have even imposed strict lockdown and quarantine measures that keep people confined in their homes. This has meant that relatives have been separated and isolated, workers have not been able to go to work, and cancellation of sports activities among others. While these measures are meant to curb the spread of the virus, these new circumstances have left many confused, sad, scared, angry, and stressed. The situation is further exacerbated by the uncertainty regarding when things will return to normal. However, as the development of a vaccine and effective treatment method continues, it is important to find simple and easy stress management ways to take us through these trying times.

a) Stay Active

When you have free time, it may be tempting to spend your whole day playing video games, watching TV, or doing nothing creative. This may lead to boredom, which in turn may lead to worrying and an increase in stress levels. It is advisable to limit the time you spend watching or listening to news or media coverage since it may cause unnecessary worries. One of the best ways to take advantage of this free time is to stay healthy by exercising. By making your body active, you will increase your blood flow, heart rate, and reduce muscle tension, which curbs the production of stress hormones in your body. It is important that while you are at home to ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle such as getting enough sleep and a healthy diet. You may also want to use the free time you have available to engage in something creative or productive. You may want to pass time cleaning, repairing, or improving your home just to keep busy. Furthermore, you may also want to take online courses to improve your skills to make you more marketable when things return to normal.

b) Stay positive

Living through a pandemic is a new experience for most of us. However, drawing from past history and today’s advancements in technology and medicine, the future is bright. This pandemic like all others will soon be over and things will return to normal. It is thus advisable to stay positive and focus on the good side of life. It is important to keep in touch with friends, family, and colleagues to ensure they are also coping well. Even though people cannot travel, there are numerous communication channels that enable people to easily stay in touch with each other. Being positive means accepting that there are events that will not be under your control, but they will still affect you. One way you can deal with such situations is by calling on your past experiences on how you dealt with adversities. As you go through these stressful times, it is important to understand that you are not alone and that it is completely okay, and even recommended to seek help from a psychologist.