With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic this year early in January, life seems to be at a standstill. The entire world is affected by the global pandemic. Some have lost their job, freedom, and even some have lost their loved ones. However, the global pandemic has caused less death than mental illness. With the necessity of social distancing, most people today are dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. 

The pandemic has brought in a fear inside us that we might get attacked or we may lose something important to us, such as a job or a person. When you are finding an answer to come out of your mental status, here is what can help you. Taking good care of your mental health will allow you to pass these tough times with a little ease. 

5 tips to remain mentally healthy during tough times

• Be occupied in work- Keeping yourself occupied with work will help you focus on something productive. As most of us are working from home currently, it is a great idea to locate a spot at home to work. You can arrange everything as per your comfort to make yourself comfortable while you work. While you keep yourself busy with work, you have less time to think upon issues such as the global pandemic that bothers you.

• Spend time on your hobbies- Most of us have given up on our favorite things that we love to do. All this has happened due to a busy lifestyle and tight schedules. Today when you have enough time at hand to relive your hobbies then grab the opportunity as soon as you can. As you engage yourself with creative work that is near to your heart, it helps to release hormones in your body that keeps the stress away and soothes your mental health. Practicing a hobby also gives you an option to shift your attention and change your mood. 

• Exercise to be in shape- While we have less opportunity to move, you may experience fatigue and low body fitness within a few months. There cannot be a better time to exercise regularly to be in shape. As you exercise, your body goes through a lot of movement which is required for the muscles to work properly. As you lose weight and be in shape, it helps you feel happier and healthier and thus keeps anxiety away.

• Eat healthily and sleep well- Mostly when we are worried, we do not focus on healthy eating and proper sleeping habits. A well-balanced diet can help you keep anxiety away and provide us with all the vital nutrients that our body needs extensively due to stress. Proper sleep helps us relax and regain energy and overall keep us healthy.

While you practice all these healthy habits to maintain a healthy body and mind, do not skip on socializing. The notion of being social may have changed, therefore, utilize the technology to speak your heart with the near and dear ones. More importantly, do not hesitate to take professional medical care in case you feel like you cannot cope with the stress on your own.