Suggestions to cope with stress during lockdown

But it is not by continuing to think that we will change a situation bigger than us. Instead, here is a series of concrete actions that will allow us to feel a little more in control of our days and maybe help us in this period.
If we feel stress more on a physical level, for example, by feeling tension in particular areas of the body such as shoulders, neck, head or feeling a greater state of restlessness, then here is what we can do

1. Physical activity or a little stretching, even ten minutes are enough to start feeling some benefits;
2.  Breathe slowly, perhaps mentally 1001,1002,1003 ... to make the length of inhalation and exhalation equal;
3. Muscle relaxation, we can help ourselves by watching a video to avoid getting distracted;
4. Take a nap;
5. Listen to relaxing music;
6. Take a warm bath.

If, on the other hand, our stress is more related to thoughts, for example we cannot stop thinking or we try to get rid of unpleasant thoughts that come back or we think too quickly and feel confused there are several strategies that we can adopt to help us:

1. Talking with someone about what stresses us, even if the most natural thing that comes to us is to keep everything inside, sharing and feeling listened to is the most useful thing to do;
2. Writing or keeping a diary of what stresses us, if we don't feel like talking to someone, can be a good alternative;
3. Set priorities: make a list of things to do during the day, nothing is more rewarding than achieving goals, however small they may be;
4. Break down more complex tasks into small steps, for example if we have to write a report we try to write a piece every day instead of getting to do everything last;
5. taking a break from social media, overloading ourselves with information will help us nothing but increase the amount of information we will have to manage;
6. Accepting that stress is part of life and of this moment, we can say to ourselves "it is normal to feel stressed in this moment" or "I am not the only person who feels these emotions now".

These are just small tips to improve our levels of well-being in everyday life, if we then realize that the situation is bigger than us, we consider the option of asking for help from a professional.