During the epidemic, it is best to avoid going out as much as possible. However, staying at home day after day can be really depressing! Being stuck at home every day, with no end in sight for gatherings with friends, and seeing a significant number of confirmed cases every day, the internet and news are filled with stories of industries being severely affected by the epidemic. Being in a prolonged period of low spirits can easily trigger negative emotions, and even lead to “pandemic fatigue” and a lax attitude towards prevention. Although we do not know when the epidemic will end, the fight against it is a long-term battle. We must not let our guard down. Take a look at the following methods to regain a positive attitude in this “epidemic” situation and face each day with a positive and proactive mindset!
1. For you who are following epidemic news every day, you need to absorb information appropriately!
The repeated outbreak of the pneumonia epidemic has made the whole city panic. While it is important to closely follow epidemic news by watching the news, the abundance of online information means blindly believing unverified news will only increase worry and anxiety. Therefore, everyone should pay attention to the reliability of online information sources, distinguish the authenticity of information, and avoid sharing unverified information. For example, avoid panic buying due to unverified rumors of shortages circulating online, which can lead to panic for oneself and others.
In addition, if the epidemic news causes you excessive worry and fear, do not spend too much time searching for information related to the epidemic every day to avoid a sense of powerlessness and increased anxiety. At this time, it might be a good idea to take a break, allowing your tired and tense emotions to relax and unwind.
2. Although maintaining social distance, do not have “zero communication”!
The reason why the epidemic makes people feel physically and mentally exhausted is not only because it has changed our way of life, but also because we feel lonely and isolated due to the need to maintain social distance! Unable to meet with friends, and even the time spent together between couples has been greatly reduced, it is really frustrating! Although in this extraordinary period of the epidemic, both for oneself and for others, we should try our best to Stay Home, but even if we cannot meet with loved ones and friends all the time, it does not mean that we should isolate ourselves from the outside world!
Remembering to maintain social distance does not mean “cutting off ties” or “severing relationships.” It may be helpful to contact the people you care about through communication apps and phone calls, express your concern, and share your thoughts with them. Understanding each other’s feelings, you will find that you are not alone. It is also good to understand the needs of others. Perhaps they are facing shortages of supplies, unemployment, or emotional lows. By providing assistance within your means, you can help others and also experience a sense of joy yourself!
3. Maintain healthy habits and don’t let your biological clock get disrupted!
During the days of staying at home to fight the epidemic, whether working from home on weekdays or watching programs at home during holidays, everyone may have already gotten used to this new normal. However, staying home for a long time does not mean letting yourself go. Don’t let your body clock get messed up, because a quality and regular lifestyle is the key to a healthier body and mind! Fighting the epidemic is not just about wearing masks and washing hands frequently. First, ask yourself the following questions: Have you maintained 8 hours of quality sleep every day during this period? Are your three meals a day balanced in nutrition? Or have you been eating more snacks and junk food because you feel bored staying at home?
In addition to avoiding a lifestyle of staying up all night and irregular eating habits, don’t forget the importance of exercise! Even without leaving the house, you can do some simple stretching exercises, yoga, or open YouTube, follow along with videos to learn some simple and fun dance moves, all of which can release the happy “endorphins” in the brain, helping to relieve stress! After breaking a sweat, not only will your mood be more comfortable, but it will also help you shed the “pandemic pounds”!
4. Organize your living space and live a quality life!
Since you’re spending all day at home, why not take this opportunity to tidy up your living space! Just imagine, living in a messy space 24 hours a day can make your already dull mood even more depressing, right? In the past, when you had to go back to the office to work or go out on dates on weekends, you spent much less time at home. You might have chosen to “turn a blind eye” to the chaos in your room, but now that Stay Home has become the norm in your life, it’s time to declutter your room quickly!
Spending too much time neglecting to tidy up, the state of being “long neglected” may leave you lacking the motivation to organize your home, and even as you start planning to clean up one area, you may feel too tired to continue! If you think tidying up your home is a “big project,” why not start small! For example, tidy up your desk that has been neglected for a while today, and tomorrow clean out the outdated clothes in your wardrobe. Seeing step by step the return to a neat and tidy living space, your gloomy mood will surely be swept away!
5. Learn to be grateful even in times of “epidemic”, and never forget to seek life goals!
In addition to organizing your living space, adjusting your mindset is also important! The appearance of the epidemic has changed your daily routine. You may temporarily be unable to enjoy the time spent with a large group of friends, or fully immerse yourself in outdoor activities and the joy of traveling abroad. However, these situations are temporary after all. The epidemic will eventually pass. Why not try to maintain a positive mindset, learn to be grateful for the little things in life, and write down things that make you happy every day.
Also, think about what you have always wanted to try in the past but never had the time to do so. Take advantage of this time to accomplish them one by one! It could be learning a foreign language online, trying out different recipes, setting simple goals for yourself, enjoying some relaxing “me time,” which can help you find the motivation to get back into life during the pandemic and drive away the “pandemic fatigue”!
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