The Coronavirus pandemic has probably had a significant impact on your life. Never before has the world experienced something on the scale of a global lockdown. It goes to show how fragile society is, regardless of how advanced technology we may be.
As well as getting used to the new normal, a lot of people struggle with maintaining a routine that resembles their previous one. The fact that you’re not working and can’t leave the house encourages you to indulge in behavior you’d typically resist. Lying in bed in the morning and going to bed late are two prime examples.
However, ditching your schedule is a terrible idea. Not having a daily routine can lead to a host of physical and mental health problems from which it’s hard to recover. When you feel depressed, it’s not as simple as perking up again once the restrictions are lifted. Therefore, it’s essential to work hard and resist temptation.
Here are some of the side-effects if you can’t stick to a semi-healthy routine during a lockdown.
Your Mental Health Will Deteriorate
There are two choices concerning exercise - you work out more or less. Lots of people are doing the former because they see it as a chance to reach their health goals finally. After all, it’s an excellent thing to focus on and invest in when there isn’t much else to do in and outside of the house.
Of course, people are working out less, too. According to reports, there has been a 32% downturn in activity since lockdown measures were introduced. This is made worse by the fact that only one-quarter of Americans get the recommended amount of weekly exercise.
If you fall into this category, you will start to see your mental health deteriorate. Although this doesn’t happen normally, it does during a quarantine as you’re stuck indoors for most of the day. As a result, the things that used to relieve stress - chilling on the sofa; watching Netflix - become stale.
Once this transforms into your routine, you’ll find yourself in a rut that’s hard to break. Even if you only exercise once or twice per week, you should find that blowing off the cobwebs resets your brain and improves your mood.
Motivation Will Be Low
A direct knock-on effect of poor mental health is a lack of motivation. You can’t force yourself to do anything when you can’t see the big picture, and you can’t see the big picture when you’re feeling blue. You must remember that a lack of motivation is more than deciding not to work out and let off steam.
Your motivation levels affect everything from your physical and mental health to your relationships. Without any get up and go, you’ll start to drift away from your family and friends. Considering a lockdown puts massive amounts of strain on a marriage or romantic relationship, it’s vital that you work harder than ever to keep the spark alive.
Plus, socializing with friends and loved ones is tough. Yes, video-calling software makes it easier than ever, yet you still must be proactive. If you’re not, you’ll wait for others to organize Zoom calls and Microsoft Teams’ meetings, which will again lead your relationships to wane.
You need to stay motivated if you plan on maintaining a healthy bond with family and friends. Only a routine will enable you to grind out the monotony of self-isolation and work even harder to highlight your love.
Vices Are More Tempting
This is rocket science. During unpredictable times, it’s comforting to turn to vices for help. Also, there is a novelty factor in the current situation. Drinking, smoking, and eating junk food is a treat when you can’t go to a bar or restaurant. Vices are ways to break up the boredom and add excitement to your lifestyle.
The problem is that it’s easy to go over the top. Studies show that households have been buying more alcohol, for instance, causing 70% of them to consume more than usual. There are always options for addictions, and pet friendly drug rehabs are at the top of the list, but it’s easier not to spiral in the first place.
With this in mind, you need to keep your eyes peeled for the signs that you’re indulging in too many bad habits. For those who like to drink at home, you may find that you sleep more during the week because you have a hangover. And, this may lead you to renege on your promises and responsibilities.
You can’t take the kids to school or the park if you’re still drunk. Another sign you shouldn’t dismiss is loved ones raising concerns. You may assume you’re fine, yet they understand your behavior and can tell when something is different. This applies to all habits, from smoking to overeating.
It Will Last Longer Than Lockdown
The worst part about slipping into a new routine is that it may never end. Sure, it won’t last forever, but it could quickly become comfortable. When this happens, your life will suffer in pretty much every area.
Remember that after the world returns to normal, you’ll want to live your life to the fullest. That’s the best way to make the most of the time you have, especially if you’re family-orientated. Sadly, it’s not as if you can flick a switch and decide you’re going to be motivated. In reality, your lack of get-up-and-go will remain until you make a conscious effort to change.
This could take months, depending on how efficiently you transition into work and everything else you took for granted pre-lockdown. It’s much healthier to maintain a routine right through the crisis so that you’re ready to rock and roll when the powers that be decide it’s time.
It’s challenging now because you want to let loose and enjoy self-isolation. However, it’s not worth the long-term side-effects.
Summary
In short, without a routine, you’ll put yourself in a risky position for a lot longer than the duration of lockdown. If you don’t want that, you must exercise and eliminate bad habits for the sake of your relationships and mental and physical wellbeing.
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