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The COVID-19 pandemic means you’re currently spending more time at home than ever — especially if you’re now working remotely. Undoubtedly, being home during this time of uncertainty makes you feel safe, but it can also be isolating.

Social distancing has changed life as you know it. You’re likely not spending time with any — or many — people outside your household, which you’ve likely never experienced. Understandably, this can take a significant toll on your mental health.

Here’s some advice to help you stay emotionally healthy during this time of turmoil.

Limit Your Daily News Intake

It’s important to stay informed, but watching the news too much can wreak havoc on your mental health. Allow yourself a certain amount of time to watch the news on television or visit news sites online each day — i.e., 20 minutes in the morning and evening — then stop. Always watching the news offers no benefit, but it will stress you out and fill you with anxiety.

Stay in Close Contact With Loved Ones

You can’t be in close physical proximity with many of your loved ones, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose touch. Videoconferencing tools — i.e., Zoom, FaceTime, Duo — make it possible to have face-to-face conversations with family and friends. Sure, it’s not the same thing as spending time together in person, but it’s a great alternative.

Curb Your Screen Time

No doubt, you’ve been watching way more Netflix than usual during the pandemic. This makes sense because spending more time at home limits your activities. However, too much time in front of your television, tablet, or phone can quickly get old. It’s easy to become depressed when you’re sitting around doing nothing for too long, so restrict yourself to a certain amount of screen time per day.

Get Outside

A little fresh air can do wonders for the mind, body, and soul. You might not be able to enjoy some of your favorite outdoor activities right now — i.e., group sports or hiking popular trails — but you can still get outside and do something. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, get in the car and take a social distancing drive, or have a picnic in a sparsely crowded local park. A change of scenery will make you feel like a whole new person.

Find a New Hobby

Idle time can easily cause your mind to spiral into places you don’t want to go. Avoid this by taking on a new hobby. It’s always fun to find a new pastime you’re excited about, and on the plus side, you have more time than ever to dedicate to it. Anything from taking up knitting to painting your bedroom counts as a healthy hobby, so choose something that brings you joy.

If you think it’s impossible to find a great new job during the pandemic, you haven’t worked with PrideStaff Northern Kentucky. Plenty of top local employers are hiring, so contact us today to start your search!

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