Sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. With everything happening in the world right now, many people are experiencing sky-high anxiety levels. This can manifest in a number of issues including compromised sleep. To be able to function at your highest level and deal with all the ramifications of the pandemic on your career and personal life, you need to get good quality sleep. Here are five tips that can help you beat coronavirus anxiety to improve your sleep.
Limit News Consumption
It’s tough to relax when you see doom and gloom on the news 24/7. Whether you’re constantly checking reports on how the markets are doing or you’re watching every briefing from politicians, the news is very stressful. Limiting your consumption to the bare necessities is one of the best pieces of advice you can take. If you have to tune into the news, do it in the morning. That way, by the time you go to bed, you’ll have processed most of it and it won’t be top-of-mind as you try to fall asleep.
Take Preventive Measures
There are preventive measures that are pretty much universally recommended: stay six feet away from others; wear a mask when you go out in public; don’t gather in groups of over 10. If you take these preventive measures, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re doing your part to flatten the curve. You’ll also be able to relax with the knowledge that you’re keeping yourself and your family healthy as best you can.
Give Yourself (and Others) a Break
Being irritable is a given right now for the majority of people, especially if you’re co-working from home with a partner or trying to home-school kids while still focusing on your career. That’s why it’s more important than ever to extend empathy to yourself and others. Yes, you’ll probably lash out at those you love more often. Yes, your spouse may seem like they’re plotting to make your conference calls as interruption-laden as possible. Now is the time to breathe, assume that others only have the best of intentions, and let things go. Try doing some meditation or relaxation techniques that incorporate forgiveness before you go to sleep so that petty grudges or self-criticism doesn’t impact your slumber.
Help Others
It’s easy to get sucked into our own wants, needs, and fears during crises. One of the best ways to deal with a situation like this, though, is to look outside of yourself and how you’re feeling. Put your curiosity to good use and investigate ways to help others in need. Can you help tutor some kids via Zoom? Does your local food bank need donations? Can you start a content series to educate entrepreneurs? When you do good for others, you’ll naturally feel more optimistic about the future and can rest easy knowing you’re doing your part.
Focus on Gratitude
Emotional agility is the key to becoming a better investor, a better partner, and a happier person. The best way to be flexible in this situation is to continually direct your thoughts to what you’re grateful for instead of what’s bothering you. Yes, you may be missing your friends and social networks right now, but you also have more time for your family and yourself. Yes, your investments may be down, but you likely have plenty of years until retirement for them to rebound. There’s almost always a silver lining in any situation and when you focus on that, your attitude – as well as your sleep – improves.
Keeping yourself healthy and safe is the top priority right now and one of the best ways to take care of yourself is to make sure you get plenty of quality sleep. Use these five tips to calm coronavirus fears and relax before turning in for the night. Are you experiencing increased stress right now or have more tips for relaxing? Please leave them below!