Prioritizing Wellness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and largely changed many aspects of our lives, and dental education is no exception. Between the transition to online learning, the missed clinic time, and the social isolation, dental students throughout the country continue to feel the impacts of this pandemic. During these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever to prioritize mental and physical wellness. Consider utilizing these tips these develop your own wellness routine:

Maintain a Routine

Maintaining a regular, structured routine is beneficial at any time, but during times of stress and uncertainty, when many students’ normal school routines have been disrupted, it is an especially important habit. Having a routine lowers stress levels, promotes productivity, and can help you form healthy habits. While some people prefer to have an hour-by-hour schedule, others would rather have a to-do list for the whole day. Both are effective ways to manage time. In addition to scheduling necessary tasks, it is important to incorporate relaxation and other healthy behaviors into your schedule. Overall, maintaining a routine can help you complete your work in a more timely manner and can help reduce stress.

Exercise

Setting time aside to exercise daily is a great way to boost your mood, increase your energy, and support your immune system. If possible, going outside and getting fresh air is ideal, as it can help lower blood pressure and heart rate, and it can help clear your mind. If you are unable to leave your house, exercising at home is still a great way to stay healthy, and there are many online resources available to help you reach your goals. Exercise is a great way to help boost cognitive functions and prevent burnout.

Stay Connected

Another great way to help relieve stress is spending time with loved ones. Even while practicing social distancing, it is possible to virtually stay connected with friends and family members. Apps such as Zoom or Google Hangouts may be used for free video calls with one or multiple people and may be used to organize virtual coffee dates, happy hours, or dinner parties. Additionally, online services such as Netflix Party, a Google Chrome extension, allow users to watch movies or television shows simultaneously. Technology can be used in many ways to strengthen your network and combat feelings of loneliness or isolation.

While it is easy to get caught up in our busy schedules, it is extremely important to take care of ourselves. Though it may seem impossible to balance everything, small changes can go a long way.

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This post was contributed by Sonia Bhutra, Director of Outreach & Community Service at ADEA COSRF District 2 and student at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine ('22).