Amidst the surge of people in need and as our fatigue of the pandemic grows stronger, we often forget an important thing — our own well-being.

When you have a fever, you’d pop some medicine. An injured muscle? You’d apply cold spray.

So, what about your mental health?

If you can’t instantly list out your go-to methods on coping within your ‘4-walled world’, it’s time for a mental health check. 

Now is more important than ever to have an A-game routine. A healthy routine makes us happier. Here are 3 practical ways that may help your mental well-being during the lockdowns.

1. Eat our veggies, do our planks

If these tasks are at the bottom of your checklist, we’d be great friends! 

Jokes aside, first tip: commit to a healthy self-care regime. The one that contributes to your growth. In this pandemic, it can double as a stress-coping mechanism. Not only would it alleviate psychological distress and pandemic-induced anxiety, it also prevents lasting psychological outcomes. It’s important to maintain a sense of equilibrium, do the things that we can control, and replace uncertainty with routine. Remember, self-care is self-love.

Oftentimes, many don’t even realise that they’re in need of extra self-care or are experiencing a burnout. If you haven’t thought about it, it’s time to do some reflection.

2. Stay connected

Ah, humans — such social creatures. In self-isolation, we don’t just lose out on our outing sessions, our regular human connection is disrupted too. We lose physical contact and, even for the most introverted person, it can get tough. Schedule for virtual hangouts and weekly date nights.

I’m going to be real — it’s not the same but it’ll help stretch the social bubble and relieve stress even if it’s just a bit. 

Check in on your friends, elderly, and especially those living alone. Vent and cry with your ‘stuck-in-lockdown’ buddy on the other line. You could even create a Spotify group session with your friends, get on a video call, then dance your heart out in front of each other.

Fret not if you look crazy — we’re in a pandemic, NO ONE will judge!

3. Proactive steps for your mental well-being

Good mental health requires a lot of self-reflection and inner work — but that doesn’t mean you can’t involve practical steps too. 

Try limiting your news consumption or picking up a self-improvement habit. Take a mental break from your day-to-day activities. Sleep is one of the casualties of stress so take some breaks after you’ve completed your task — I’d recommend the Pomodoro technique. Not only could it boost productivity, you can catch up on those naps since you’re stuck at home! Give meditation another try. Take yourself out on a date. 

Most importantly, treat yourself like someone you love dearly, you pandemic-survivor!

It’s true. None of these steps will change the fact that we’re in a deadly outbreak era. However, looking after our mental well-being may help us feel happier, relaxed, and rested. Plus, focusing on the little things that make us happy makes the current situation a little more bearable.