If you feel like you’re going crazy of late, we feel you and you aren’t alone. The past seventeen months since the initial outbreak of the pandemic that has changed the way we live is now taking its toll on even the most resilient and patient of people. And while impatience, frustration, and annoyance are being felt all around, all this stress is wreaking havoc on our physical health, as well.
According to the American Psychological Society, pandemic stress has been responsible for a number of health conditions which have arisen alongside fears of contagion. The findings listed in their 2021 report include:
- 61% of adults experienced adverse changes in weight, with 42% stating that they gained more weight than usual;
- 67% of those surveyed have either been sleeping more or have indulged in addictive behaviors like binge-eating, smoking, or consuming alcohol in order to cope with the increased stress;
- 47% of those surveyed have been unable to go for their annual physical exams or routine checkups as they fear contagion. Half of those who expressed concerns about getting infected are either unvaccinated or have only received one dose of a vaccine;
- Women have reported changes to their menstrual cycle following one or more doses of a vaccine which has only added to their stress; and
- People have also reported experiencing palpitations, extreme fatigue, or more frequent headaches.
In which case, we all need to take better care of ourselves and here are a few tips that may help:
- Stick to a Routine Make a to-do list the night before and stick to it throughout the following day. Better yet, if you work from home, be sure to stick to regular office hours in order to have some delineation between your job and your personal life.
- Plan Your Meals Planning a menu for a full week (or month) of family or solo meals may seem daunting at first, but it will help you keep your weight at healthy levels as you are getting proper nutrition and nourishment at the right time as opposed to bingeing on junk food and calorie-loaded takeaway food.
- An Online Consultation is Better Than Nothing We recommend you try out online medical consultation services which are becoming more widely available locally. Many of these are affiliated with major hospitals or medical centers, so you can be sure that these are reliable – though it’s okay to double-check to allay any fears. An online consult will also enable doctors to order specific lab tests and treatments for you whenever necessary.
- Make Time for Yourself With reference to the first item on this list, your schedule ought to include some wind-down time where you can relax and meditate at the end of the day. You can also use the time for necessary treatments or pampering at a certified-safe spa or salon. Don’t feel guilty about this; your health needs to come first.
- Work Out If you’re worried about extra poundage, be sure to allow yourself an hour’s worth of physical activity to keep organs and muscles in good working order.
- Heat Yourself Up Booking a 40-minute session in the Vital Dome goes a long way in keeping you healthy in these uncertain times. With as much impact as a two-hour workout, the Far Infrared Rays generated within the Dome enable your body to expel harmful toxins, regulate your circulation, and enable you to lose weight in a safer manner.
Learn more about the Vital Dome at https://vitaldomeglobal.com.