This lockdown phase has affected our daily lifestyle in many ways. I have seen many posts on social media that people are feeling exhausted and depressed during this lockdown. Now their sleeping hours have increased; they are not that active they used to be. When you are not doing any kind of physical activity, and your body spends most of its time in the same position, whether you are sitting or lying, then the ability of the body to take oxygen decreases and affects our energy level.
There is a feeling of lethargy, and most people also have a mental breakdown. People who are already suffering from anxiety and depression, this lockdown phase has made it more difficult for them. The sleep cycle of some people is completely ruined due to this pandemic. People are feeling even more tired and groggy. According to some research, this physical exertion is due to stress and anxiety(1).
Stress and anxiety have many reasons; for example, some people have lost their job due to an outbreak of coronavirus. It is even more difficult if you are locked up with your children. It is not an easy task to handle children during this period, and it’s quite exhausting.
Some people who are living in small spaces, such as paying guests, it feels claustrophobic for them. The main reason behind this tiredness is lack of activity. How can we combat this situation? Well, it’s not that tough, but we have to be patient in order to maintain our energy and to reduce mental stress.
You can follow the below tips to restore your energy levels.
- If you are stuck with your children, then make a plan. I know it is not as easy as it sounds. All schools and colleges are closed as per the instructions of the government. You can keep them busy with homeschooling. Make a schedule and try to stick with it. Plan indoor games to stay active and restore your energy. Indoor yoga is best for this purpose. You can teach your children yoga, and it is the best way to keep them busy and productive. Add some fun activities such as learning dance, painting, or Zumba. There are things that you can do to boost your energy levels and feel more like yourself. Basically, you have to keep going and do not let yourself into an inactive state.
- If you are working from home, take mini breaks in between. You can phone a friend to boost your mood, avoid watching television. Include some games which stimulate your brain activity such as crosswords or read a book.
- Stay hydrated as hydration plays an important role in maintaining energy levels. As this lockdown has ruined our normal routine so we may forget to drink water at regular intervals. Set a reminder on your phone to have a glass of water. Hydration is necessary to remove toxins from the body, and it is also crucial to transport nutrients to all our bodies.
- Generally, we always complain, we don’t have time to adapt to healthy eating habits. This is the right time to change your habits and practice them. The main cause of low energy levels is a low intake of minerals. Due to lockdown, it is tough to get groceries and essentials. You can start with pulses that are easily available; in order to get more health benefits to consume them in sprouts form. Also, incorporate seeds, nuts, and fruits into your diet. Avoid processed food, excess sugar, deep-fried food, and icy food. You can include fruits, which are a natural source of sugar such as bananas, apples, and oranges.
- As we are stuck in our homes, it becomes easy to be tempted to stay in bed for long hours and take longer naps. Well, we really need to focus on our sleep patterns. Avoid sleeping during the day as it makes it more difficult to sleep at night. Sleeping for longer hours shows negative effects on our body, which can lead to various health ailments. When our sleep cycle is normal, it has a positive effect on the body, but when any disturbance in the sleep cycle sends negative signals to our body which affects our physical and mental health. Try to take your dinner before 8 pm. Be strict with your sleep schedule, fix bedtime in your phone so all calls will be silenced till you wake up in the morning. Keep your bedroom quite dark and cool. Don’t stress yourself just do chanting in order to calm.
- A long period of isolation is the need of an hour. But it is deteriorating our mental health too. It is generating stress in people. On normal days you are busy with your work schedule, you are catching up with your friends, which relieves your stress. But during this lockdown, you can’t afford to visit your friends or colleagues. The best way is to stay connected with your friends and family. Don’t let it affect your mind and drain your energy. Keep yourself occupied in learning new things. Join an online course, online reading clubs, or something innovative which you always wanted to learn. This is the accurate time to enjoy new things in your life. Stay positive; we have a long way to go. Meditate daily in the morning, initially; it’s difficult to concentrate. You can download an app to make it easier. This technique helps you to stay calm and positive.
Keep calm and follow these tips to make yourself a better person. Take this as an opportunity to spend more time with your loved ones.
[ Read: 10 Tips for Eating Clean on a Budget ]
About the Author:
Dr. Vikram Chauhan – MD (Ayurveda) is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda and Krishna Herbal Company. He is an author of Book – God’s Manual For Healing. He is an expert Ayurveda consultant from Chandigarh and practicing in Mohali, India.
