The Stress Triggers Made Worse by Being at Home
Home is where the heart is, it’s your castle, the place where you feel the most comfortable. So, the idea of being stuck inside wasn’t too much of a problem at first. If anything, you enjoyed the novelty as at least you had an excuse to relax and relieve stress. Usually, you’ve got to juggle many balls at once, which is tiresome.
However, as the lockdown has gone on, you’ve realized that everything isn’t as it appears. While your anxiety levels were lower, they’ve started to increase again. It’s because your house, no matter how much you love it, is a place full of triggers. The fact that you can’t get out makes it even worse.
Thankfully, you can negate their effects by understanding what they are and how they manifest themselves. Once you can see the triggers coming, you can attempt to reduce their impacts by swerving them altogether. Here are the four main ones that occur in the home.
Hearing Loss
Your hearing loss can quickly force you to feel left out or stranded due to your inability to participate in conversations or communicate properly. Since everyone’s patience levels are low, the situation can be exacerbated by the smallest of incidents. As always, the first step to recovery is to admit that there is an issue.
Lots of times, it’s easy to shrug off the hearing loss as insignificant. It’s almost as if it’s an occupational hazard or that your ears will magically be restored. They won’t. The only way to listen more effectively is to wear hearing devices that make up for the defects in your ears. Also, it’s not as if you can’t speak to a doctor or medical professional.
Yes, physical appointments are hard to come by, yet virtual ones are now the norm. A quick Zoom call could be all you require to have your devices delivered to your home regularly.
Caffeine
A cup of coffee is a staple for millions of people around the world. As the planet’s third most consumed beverage, it’s not uncommon to begin your day with a mug of Joe. However, it may not be the best way to perk up your day as caffeine is believed to make mental disorders, such as stress and anxiety, worse.
It’s the trigger. With that in mind, it’s essential that you work to cut back on your daily intake. One of the benefits of being at home is that you can take breaks whenever you want, which means you’re more likely to put the kettle on and sip some Java. As such, you may have to swap your habit for a healthier one, like green or chai tea.
If you must drink coffee, please be sure to stop after 2 pm - it’s a long-lasting stimulant - avoid adding sugar, and choose a quality brand that uses organic ingredients.
Your Finances
A global pandemic that has shut down the world’s economy is bound to impact your finances. Even if you still have a job, you may not be able to survive on a reduced wage, and if you can, it will be tight. It’s not hard to see why your bank balance will keep you awake at night!
Your first port of call is to see if you can boost your earning power by taking on more responsibility. The gig economy is still a lucrative option, so you could pick up freelance work if you have the right qualifications and experience. Alternatively, it may be necessary to speak to your creditors about payment vacations.
A payment vacation is when your lenders allow you to stop making the minimum payments. It’s happening around the globe due to the unforeseen effects of COVID-19, and it could provide the breathing space you require to get your finances in order. At the least, a conversation will help as you should be able to create a payment plan.
Socializing
When you haven’t socialized in a long while, the idea can be stressful. Yes, it may be online and not face-to-face, yet you’re still out of practice. After all, you’ve pretty much done everything at home, apart from exercising and picking up the groceries.
A healthy tip to remember is that everyone is in the same boat, so you’re not alone. If it’s a little awkward in the beginning, you should stick with it as it will become more natural. Also, don’t forget that you can start small and work your way up to bigger commitments.
You can leave the call at any time.