This pandemic has created new routines for us during the year as we stay at home. People may be drinking more, not being as active anymore, and not socializing. By keeping in mind all of the unhealthy habits you have developed during this past year, you have the power to use healthy coping methods to adapt and get you through the year.
A Year of Drinking
Excessive drinking for men is 15 or more drinks depending on the average body size. Drinking this much can lead to early mortality. Even more casual daily drinking can lead to a higher mortality rate. You may think that having a couple of drinks a day is fine as it will not kill you right away, but making this your new normal can be fatal to you over time. This can lead to developing alcohol-related diseases in the long run such as fatty liver disease. You may be struggling from being in solitude for a long time or the loss of your job. Drinking will not make those negative feelings go away but can escalate them further.
A Year of Working at Home
Working at home can be good for you in being in a comfortable space compared to being cramped up in an office. On the other hand, it can be stressful to spend a year juggling your work with family responsibilities. At least in an office, you will not be distracted by outside influences. You can still establish boundaries when you are at home such as setting up an office in a room that is not your bedroom or setting stricter work hour limits. You can tell your picks that there are certain times in the day where you cannot be disturbed. You can also make sure that you are being active while working at home such as going out for walks in your neighborhood or doing at-home workouts through online video tutorials with hardly any equipment.
A Year of Less Socializing
Everyone this year has not been socializing as much as usual with having to be six feet apart and covering their faces. The way that we have socialized has changed such as having to rely on the phone and video chats for our communication. While it may be hard to eventually get back to the swing of things, it is important to remember that we are all sharing the same experiences and we will eventually be in the right place physically and mentally.
The pandemic has brought changes to our routine like sitting down more, drinking to cope with our negative feelings, and being stressed. Remember that there are healthy coping techniques out there to make living in this pandemic more bearable. At Alta Loma, we understand how easy it is to slip back into old habits. We are here to tell you that you are not alone and we can help you. Located in Georgetown, Texas, we can provide you with essential tools like 12-step programs, individualized therapy, life coping skills education, and more. Please call (866) 457-3843 for more information.
