With large parts of the world ready to reopen after COVID, people are excited to get out and about again. However, long times spent in lockdown will have no doubt affected your mental health, which unfortunately, can affect you in a lot of different ways. There are luckily some things you can do to improve your mental health, whether you just need a little boost or feel you need more help and support in the long run.
Go for some pampering
An excellent way to spend some alone time and feel like yourself again is to invest in some pampering time. A lot of people neglected their beauty routine in lockdown, especially since many salons were shut, so a visit to the Neutral Bay beauty salon at LabSkin Clinic can have you feeling like yourself again. It’s also worth taking the time off and relaxing, away from the stresses of everyday life.
Some of the treatments you could have at a salon include:
- Laser hair removal or waxing
- Facials
- Skin treatments
- Lash or brow treatments and tinting
- Day spas
Catch up with medical appointments
Self-care is important, even post-COVID, so you should make sure you catch up with those little things like seeing the dentist and optician. While many healthcare practices have been impacted by COVID, they’re now starting to reopen, and taking care of yourself can help your mental health in general. Your physical health can also suffer if you don’t practice self-care, so it’s important to make sure you are looking after yourself as much as possible.
Reconnect with people
You may have only seen your friends on Zoom for the last few months, so now might be a good time to reconnect with the people you love. While there are still restrictions in many areas, it’s often possible to do things like go for a walk with a loved one, or even have a picnic together, and it’s great to enjoy the simple things in life once again. If you’re suffering from poor mental health, then this is a good opportunity to talk to someone about your feelings.
Exercise
Exercise can greatly improve your mental health. Doctors recommend exercise to nearly everyone, but there is a link between exercise and good mental health. You don’t need to join a gym or start running a marathon. Simply taking some time for walking, jogging or light cardio is enough, although you should feel free to take things up a notch if you can.
Exercise can also be done in groups, which is an excellent way to socialise while improving your health. Look out for local group classes, or start one of your own, getting friends together to do something fun.
Treat yourself
Coming out of lockdown is a good excuse to treat yourself to a new wardrobe, or anything that makes you feel good. You should take this opportunity to buy something you’ve been coveting for a while, and with a lot more social events going on, you’ll no doubt have more of a chance to show it off.
See a professional if you need it
Suffering from poor mental health can mean you need professional help, and you can get this in a number of ways. You can reach out to services such as:
- Your GP
- A practice nurse
- Local health support groups
- Mental health charities
- Helplines
If you’re not sure what’s in your area, have a Google and you’ll be able to find what kinds of support are available. It’s always good to know that you’re not alone and that there is someone there to support you.
You could also look for a private therapist, who can help you work through things and learn coping techniques. Many people live in areas with long waiting lists for therapy, so it’s worth considering going private, so you can get immediate help that’s convenient for you.
Everyone goes through periods of poor mental health, and sometimes, all you need is to spend some alone time or take care of yourself. Getting out and socialising or getting some exercise can help too, but if you need additional support, don’t be afraid to ask for help, as you may need this to get through a tough period.
