As the holidays fall upon us and the winter break draws near, it is important to be aware of our mental health during this season.
Written by Freda Pan
Introduction
The longer and colder days coupled with the ongoing pandemic will take an extreme toll on all our bodies, mentally and physically, so it is important to take care of ourselves as best as we can and understand that we are all doing our best under the circumstances we are given.
Overworking, especially during this season, can lead to fatigue and can cause us to become unmotivated and stressed during this time. It is important to find ways that can help you cope and re-energize your mind in order to produce a better quality of work.
Feelings of fatigue, loneliness, anxiety, and hopelessness can all be a result of the extra difficulties that the pandemic brings us during this season.
In order to combat this, here are a few tips to overcome fatigue during the winter.
1) Lower your stress
During this time, the only thing that may be on your mind is stress from your studies or work. It is important to be able to find ways to cope with this psychological pain, as too much stress can be detrimental to your mental health. Meditating, exercising, going outside, listening to soothing music, or simply participating in an activity to let your mind reset are all great ways of reducing your stress. Even taking a few minutes of your day to have some “me time” is great in the long run and will allow you to feel better rested.
2) Connect with Friends and Family
The pandemic has been especially hard on all of us, and not being able to see family and friends has only added on to that emotional distress. Although you may not be able to see the ones you love in person, it is important to still stay connected. Having a zoom call with your friends to catch up on everyone’s lives or discuss your worries can help lift the burden of this stress.
3) Make a Routine
It can be easy to fall out of routine during the recent months, as many of us have been sleeping for long hours and feeling unmotivated to be productive with how we are spending our days. It is important to try to break out of this habit, because enforcing a daily routine may help you feel some form of normality in very abnormal conditions. You could try waking up every day at a certain time and sleeping at a certain time, or ensure that you are eating meals according to a schedule. Using daily planners or schedule apps can remind you to stay on top of your tasks as needed. Be sure to include well deserved breaks in your schedule as well!
4) Be active
Exercise is beneficial for both your mental and physical health. As a result of increased endorphin, exercising has been proven to reduce stress and tension in your body. It is also a natural antidepressant and can help improve any negative feelings, cognitive function, and self-esteem.
Conclusion
By incorporating all these tips in your daily life, coping with the winter pandemic can become a lot easier. It is so important to take mental breaks during a heavy work schedule while also enforcing reasonable periods of productivity. Always remember, you are not alone. Many of us have the same fears and feelings of anxiety, so try to reach out to loved ones and support one another. If we can conquer a worldwide pandemic, we can conquer anything.
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