The anxiety of what’s going on outside weighs on you more than you’d think. Writers stop writing, readers stop reading, but do gamers ever stop gaming? I don’t know.
While I was challenged with my own difficulties, and couldn’t read or write, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like for someone truly ill. When your head feels foggy and you don’t want to or can’t do what you normally do, it’s time to do something different.
My first advice would be to spend more time on self-care. I already wrote about writing as relief and keeping a gratitude journal to keep that silver lining in sight. But self-care can be so much more than that. Start working out, pick up a new hobby, learn how to cook a healthy meal. I like taking long, hot baths to relax my muscles and ease my aches. Afterward, I feel better, physically and mentally.
Self-care often isn’t productive or doesn’t feel productive, but as long as you feel better, it’s still worth investing that time. See what works for you, what makes you feel better. Knowing how to relax is a valuable skill.
Sometimes engaging in the arts can be another form of relief. Drawing (either with pen or digitally), DIY, crafts, gardening, or other ventures that challenge the hands and not the mind. Expressing inner turmoil with paint or pencil can be cathartic.
Doing something new might give you renewed energy or drain it even more. You’ll quickly find out if it’s for you or not. Don’t feel bad about giving up on your new hobby if you’re not feeling it. Maybe now is not the right time, maybe that’s never. But at least you know now and you can move on to something different. Don’t be afraid to try something new and think outside of the box!
I’ve honestly found that sometimes selfcare can also look like doing the dishes, or washing your hair. Sometimes, it just isn’t the relaxing stuff, it’s tackling things to help allow you to relax.