Lenard Sciancalepore frames the brain as an organ that needs care just like the body, then shares five accessible ways to stay mentally resilient through the COVID-19 pandemic. His tips include moving your body to lift mood, meditating to reset an overloaded mind, and making things to keep the brain engaged. Readers gain simple, actionable habits for protecting their wellbeing during stressful times.
Health is everything. If you break an arm, it’s expected that you rest, take medicine and give it treatment to heal. It’s the same with your mental health. Your brain is an organ, just like any other in the human body, and it too is prone to getting sick.
To make sure our bones are strong, we eat foods high in calcium. In the same way, to make sure our brain is strong and resilient during this current pandemic, we can do small things to help our mental health when the times get tough. Here are my tips and tricks you can use to keep a healthy brain in check:
Your body was designed to move. In just a few minutes, physical activity boosts our metabolism. Research shows that physical activity and exercise decreases depression and increases self-esteem. This list could go on and on. The human body contains more than 600 muscles, which shows that the body was constructed for amazing physical capabilities. It’s clear that the human body functions best when it is active. There is power in motion! So, get out there and move them legs! Your brain will thank you for it.
Meditation is super helpful for your brain. It’s like giving yourself a mental high-five. Your mind is being bombarded with information constantly, so it’s essential to take a few moments to breathe, centre yourself and be present in your body. Make sure to switch off from your screens once in a while too, give your body and mind the needed rest it deserves. Apps designed for guided meditation can be found online, such as Smiling Mind. Om Namah Shivaya!
You can work those brain muscles by making things. Cooking! Preparing home-cooked delicious and healthy meals is a great way to do something productive, learn a new skill or recipe, and keep a healthy brain. You’ll be using your hands, engaging your mind, and keeping yourself active. Try learning a new recipe with your housemates, pick up a new hobby like drawing, crochet or becoming TikTok famous. Check out these tasty Nepalese recipes to try!
There’s a lot of negativity in the media and on the news about COVID-19. It’s so important to give your brain a rest from the info that’s bombarding our screens. While it is necessary to be updated, it is equally vital to have a balance to what we expose our minds to. An excellent way to do this is to pause. Take a break, step away from the computer, turn off Facebook, switch off and be still. Use a few minutes of your day to do something you enjoy. Remember, time flies when you’re having fun.
Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you’re feeling. The situation may be overwhelming, but coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Here’s a handy list of helplines across Australia you can use if you need to reach out.It’s normal to feel stress and worry when there is a health event happening in the community that is affecting people’s wellbeing. The team at Expert Education and Visa Services is here to support you during these unpredictable times and will be available to assist wherever we can.
Stay safe and stay home!