We can all agree that however unpleasant lockdown can be, it is designed to keep the population healthy. As we are counting the weeks since the start of the third lockdown, we can’t help to wonder about the underlying health cost of staying healthy.
Sounds confusing? Think about it. Staying at home dramatically alters our lifestyle. If you were an enthusiastic gym-goer, you’ve probably found it hard to stay fit, away from the gym. Sure, there are still home workouts, but they don’t replace the benefits you get from professional gym equipment. So, a lot of people are becoming less active as a result of prolonged lockdown. Unfortunately, an inactive lifestyle affects your metabolism and your immune system.
But, surprisingly, the lack of physical activity is not our main health peeves in lockdown. There are many more health fears and complaints that arise during lockdown. The thing about health is that, while COVID-19 remains a global threat, it doesn’t mean you should ignore everything else. Here are the top 9 health peeves that make us grind our teeth at home.
Premature zoomism
How many Zoom meetings did you have since the start of lockdown? If you’ve lost count, you’re not alone. Zoom and other digital conferencing tools have become the essential working station for every business. While it’s a practical and effective approach to reduce face-to-face interactions, it also means that we spend a lot more time looking at our faces. Zoom increases self-awareness of minor flaws and quirks that would have gone unnoticed otherwise. But as you’ve got your face looking back at you on the screen every day, you can’t help but notice things. Urgh, have the fine lines around my eyes always been that pronounced? Do my teeth appear grainy and stained when I speak? It’s no wonder that people are planning appointments to focus on their cosmetic and aesthetic needs. The more you work from home, the more you become self-aware. When you can’t erase those pesky wrinkles from your mind, it’s time to make them disappear for good. Otherwise, they’ll only weigh you down.
Oh my God, is it covid?
Does staying at home make you entirely safe from any ailment or disease? Well, not quite. Lockdown anxiety can make you more vulnerable to minor discomfort. Sleep disorders, upset tummy, and fatigue as some of the most common lockdown-related complaints. Unfortunately, misinformation about COVID-19 can make it hard to identify problems. Issues that you would otherwise brush away and ignore can become more significant under lockdown. So, it can be helpful to reach out to an online doctor to discuss your fears and issues. You could even ask for a prescription to help you sleep or eat more comfortably. Finding an expert to talk to can alleviate a lot of stress, which ultimately makes your ailment easier to manage.
The vitamin D deficiency – depression
Vitamin D helps the body support many essential functions, including immunity response and mood regulation. We often ignore the importance of vitamin D because it’s something we can replenish easily by spending some time outside. Yet, lockdown means that you can struggle to make the most of direct sunlight. A lot of British households are at risk of experiencing vitamin D deficiency. Signs could be varied but they can significantly impact your routine:
- Poor digestive health
- Depressed or sad mood
- Tiredness
Can you naturally increase your vitamin D intake without relying on supplements? You can schedule 20 to 30 minutes outside every day. Even on a cloudy day, your body can still receive enough vitamin D from natural sunlight. Additionally, your diet can also help increase the presence of vitamin D in your system. Mushrooms and fatty fish are potent sources of vitamin D and can raise natural levels successfully. You can also add a light therapy lamp that emits UV-B radiations to boost vitamin production.
Cabin fever gets on my nerves
Self-isolation can be nice for anyone who loves to spend time indoors and away from human contact. But that’s only a small number of people. Most of us can feel trapped and claustrophobic at home. Psychologists call the phenomenon cabin fever, and it’s a real mental health condition. Self-isolation can make you short-tempered, irritable and restless, even bringing on bouts of depression in the long term. Psychiatrists agree that it isn’t a diagnosable mental disorder. However, it can become a symptom that facilitates further mental health developments. How do you cope when you’re sick of being at home? Experts suggest creating a routine that keeps you grounded, such as keeping a daily and weekly schedule. This can help make sense of the day and take the pressure off.
I’ve earned a cookie. Today was a long day!
It’s easy to fall into an unhealthy routine and replace excitement with food. There’s nothing wrong with indulging a little. But when you make it a habit, it can put your health at risk. Lockdown weight gain is no joke! However, what you may not realise is that putting on weight is not just a matter of aesthetics. It weakens your immune system and your metabolism.
The other problem with indulging is that it can be a counterproductive process. You reach out to the pack of sweets for comfort. But the boost is only short-lived. Your blood sugar inevitably crashes, which leads to more irritability. Comfort food is precisely what makes you crave comfort! It’s a never-ending circle! Instead, you might find that focus on a healthy diet can have long-term benefits for your mood.
Netflix is my new obsession
We grew up hearing that TV is the enemy. Spending too much time in front of the little screen is bad for your mood and your health. Yes, blah, blah, blah. We’ve heard it all. The truth is that when there’s nothing else to do, your TV at least offers all the escapism you need. So who’s going to suffer if you discover a few new favourite TV shows on Netflix? For a lot of people, TV is a window onto another world. It’s the perfect opportunity to forget about the lockdown and visit new countries and cultures from your living room. Sure, it doesn’t replace the real thing, but right now, the real thing is off-limits!
Perhaps it is time to let go of the guilt feeling and fall in love with a Netflix series that makes you happy. Of course, make sure not to let it turn into an unhealthy coping mechanism that keeps you awake at night. But, if talking about the latest South-Korean or US dramas helps you cope in lockdown, it’s all for the best!
Bad hair day every day
Why does your hair feel brittle and dry in lockdown? Hair health is linked to a variety of factors, including your diet and heating systems. Did you know that over-heating your home could dry out your hair? So, if you’re counting the days until your hairdresser opens again, you can help your hair heal with nourishing and soothing treatments. Olaplex, for instance, is expensive but effective. It can revive damaged hair, typically from bleach, but it also works wonder on everyday damage.
Urgh, stuffed sinuses
Last but not least, another common issue that’s linked to central heating is your sinuses. As mentioned, over-heating your home can remove moisture from your body. It affects your hair, your skin, and it can also reach into your sinuses. Dried sinuses tend to become sensitive. They can swell up and feel stuffed as a consequence, not to mention permeating to the ears, which can be solved by Auris Ear Care
Is lockdown life good for your health? The answer is both yes and no. It should protect us from some of the most significant covid risks. But that doesn’t mean the sudden change of routine is without consequences on your mental and physical health. Knowing to recognise some of the most common lockdown complaints can help you cope with self-isolation.