[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The impact of Covid-19 is unprecedented \u2013 in the UK we have not seen this level of limitation on movement and social interaction for decades \u2013 centuries, even.<\/p>\n
And as we try to adjust to the new self-isolated normal, our natural response is to try to compensate through increased activity \u2013 whether that\u2019s deciding to exercise more, clean out the loft, dig a vegetable garden, learn Spanish, or any other actions that allow us to feel busy and useful.<\/p>\n
This is entirely normal. But counterintuitively, the most useful action we can take is to slow down and recalibrate, rather than rush full pelt into these new activities.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re in shared accommodation, living alone, or with family, we\u2019re all facing new levels of anxiety and stress. While those stresses will be different for each of us, to the body, stress is stress \u2013 and irrespective of where it comes from, it affects our bodies in the same way.<\/p>\n
Specifically: inflammation, a surge in stress hormones and a state of a heightened awareness.<\/p>\n
Stress is a normal and natural response but unless we take steps to recover from its impact, it\u2019s easy to become overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
And for the next few days, there are some simple things that we can do to help manage the mental and physical impact of stress.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”#dee1e2″ up=”30″ down=”40″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
A great place to start is with a simple breathing exercise, one of the easiest and most effective ways to calm our bodies. Start by taking a deep breath in through your nose \u2013 do this over five seconds, hold for three seconds then breathe out through your mouth over five seconds. Do this for the space of 20 deep breaths.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s particularly useful first thing in the morning and just before bed. Try it with your eyes closed and focus just on breathing, try to clear your mind, relax the muscles and pay attention to how the breathing feels.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”20668″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
The latest government guidelines still enable us to get outside and get some fresh air and sunshine.<\/p>\n
The government\u2019s lockdown policy means that the air will soon be cleaner than we\u2019re used to, and for city dwellers who can\u2019t access parks or green spaces, even proximity to house plants has been shown to have a calming effect. The\u00a0Japanese call this nature bathing; simply taking a bit of time outdoors or appreciating natural surroundings can have a soothing effect.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
The temptation to constantly check our various news feeds, online and off, to stay up to date and make sure we don\u2019t miss any announcements, means that the same information is repeated and reinforced. And while it doesn\u2019t meaningfully improve our understanding of the situation we\u2019re in, it does increase and reinforce our baseline levels of stress anxiety.<\/p>\n
Similarly, while social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, especially when you can\u2019t meet in person, don\u2019t forget that it\u2019s an echo chamber too. There\u2019s a strong tendency for the feeds and posts we follow to reinforce rather than ease our own attitudes, concerns and fears. So try and limit your exposure.<\/p>\n
So find a few trusted sources, and check 2-3 in times a day at most.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
A highly effective way to manage our psychological stressors is through distraction. Find something where you can detach, that\u2019s immersive and absorbing, and where your focus is on something other than the present worries and concerns – whether that\u2019s yoga, mindfulness, stretching, walking, reading, low level exercise – even Friends re-runs. They\u2019re all great strategies.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”20669″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
If you are exercising whilst anxious or upset, go easy. Don\u2019t go too hard in the first few days, as your performance will be reduced and your recovery will be blunted when highly stressed. And don\u2019t forget that sleep is a brilliant natural mechanism. Try to get more of it (most of us don\u2019t get enough) as research shows that achieving 8 hours is where the body gets the maximum benefits and allows all natural recovery pathways to take effect.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Try to maintain regular contact with friends and family \u2013 don\u2019t forget, we\u2019re visual animals, so facetime, skype, zoom etc are great ways to reinforce the bonds between us when we can\u2019t be together physically.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”#dee1e2″ up=”30″ down=”40″][vc_column_text]Most of all in the next few days, stay safe, and use this extra time to give your mind and body the chance they needs to cope with, and recover from, the stresses of the situation we\u2019re all in.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Stress is a normal and natural response but unless we take steps to recover from its impact, it\u2019s easy to become overwhelmed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":20662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,97],"tags":[106,113,65,126,142],"class_list":["post-20660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-fitness","tag-anxiety","tag-featured","tag-fitness","tag-mental-health","tag-stress"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n