COVID-19 has drastically affected people’s lives. With new routines and regular changes happening, it’s common to be stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. It’s challenging to navigate new routines while staying at home. It can mean having a hard time balancing family and work for most families when they overlap. That’s why it’s essential to focus on your family’s emotional, mental, and physical state.
It can be overwhelming to embrace these changes, but protecting your family doesn’t have to be. Local authorities have implemented health protocols that aim to minimize the effects of the pandemic. Officials might have asked you to follow these protocols, leading to loneliness because they restricted face-to-face interactions.
Human beings are social animals; hence, loneliness and sadness will ensue. For that reason, it’s more important to take care of your mental well-being and health during uncertain times. Below is a list of tips that will keep you connected, happy, and healthy while following the health protocols implemented by local officials.
Drinking the Right Amount of Water
Keeping yourself hydrated is the best way to ensure your body functions correctly. It can also drastically affect your overall well-being, mental state, and energy levels. Many find it hard to remind themselves to drink enough water due to what’s happening around them, but you can get creative in encouraging your kids to increase their intake. You can:
- Add flavor to the water by adding fruit slices or juices
- Incorporate more vegetables and fruits into your meals
- Freeze water into different shapes before adding it
You can also encourage them to track their water intake by checking the color of their urine. If your kid’s urine is clear, they’re drinking the needed amount of water. If it’s dark, they should be drinking more water.
Following Well-Balanced Diet Plans
Many find it hard to visit a grocery store due to the implemented health protocols, making it harder to pick healthy food options. It’s where you should get creative. If you still have room in your freezer, you can freeze fresh vegetables, fruits, and other produce to store nutrients. It offers the same nutritional value but lasts longer. It’s also tempting to keep eating unhealthy snacks at the wrong time, but establishing a regular eating routine might help. In short, you’ll have to eat three balanced meals throughout the day.
It’ll be tempting to resist cravings, but your goal is to make wise choices. On the other hand, your kids might usually eat less during mealtimes, so don’t hesitate to offer them healthy snacks throughout the day.
Having a Routine to Get Ample Rest
Don’t forget to check how you’re feeling in the morning. That’s because it’ll help you find out if you’re getting ample rest. Is it a tiring morning or a refreshing one? Getting ample sleep is the best means of keeping your body healthy and focused throughout the day. If you or the kids are having a hard time getting enough sleep, follow a bedtime routine.
Having a regular bedtime routine will help you get enough sleep more quickly because your body knows what’s coming. You can also use your bedtime routine as a means of deepening your connection with your children.
Minimizing Your Kids’ Screen Time
Learning about your surroundings is essential, but too much time watching TV or social media will only increase your risks of anxiety and stress. Your children might rely more on technology for distance learning, but incorporating other activities in their day will help minimize their screen time.
Using New Tools for Appointments
Information rapidly changes, making it challenging to differentiate between fiction and reality. Your primary physician is your primary source of accurate information, allowing them to answer your concerns and ease the worries you might have. Use technology to connect with your doctor about the best time or place to seek care. Many clinics communicate virtually through different platforms, connecting patients with doctors through computers, tablets, or smartphones.
If you or someone from your family experiences worsening fever, persistent coughing, or shortness of breath, don’t hesitate to call your doctor for a COVID-19 testing appointment.
Following New Lifestyle Habits
Hand washing is one way to prevent or reduce the spread of diseases or infections. You can reduce the risk of infections by implementing new lifestyle habits and following preventive measures like:
- Updating your immunizations and screenings
- Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
Talking About Emotions or Issues
More and more people are getting anxious due to the changes and uncertainties they’re currently dealing with. It’s common to experience anger, grief, worry, or other emotions, but let your kids talk. Be your child’s inspiration. You can set an example that shows they can talk about their feelings, and you’ll be there to acknowledge everything.
Information overload is common during these uncertain times, leading to anxiety and stress. Gathering accurate information from trusted sources will make your life easier.
