#AntyxUnplugged - Ashleigh
How do you Unplug?
May 3-9, 2021 marks the beginning of Mental Health Week. As we’re roughly one year into the pandemic, adverse effects are being felt more commonly than usual during periods of isolation and uncertainty, leading to increased levels of anxiety and/or depression. Almost 38 per cent of Canadians, according to Statistics Canada, have reported that “due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they experienced feelings of loneliness or isolation” (1). With tighter restrictions and social distancing rules, many have faced long periods of screen time due to working from home or attending school digitally. While the impact of increased screen behaviour on mental and general health is unknown, a study done by Statistics Canada reported that “avoiding excessive screen time and engaging in exercise, particularly outdoors, were important behaviours associated with better perceived mental and general health” during the pandemic (2).
In an effort to boost the importance of reducing screen time and promote healthy ways to unplug, the Antyx team is sharing how they unplug when faced in an increasingly digital environment. #AntyxUnplugged
Sources:
1 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/210318/dq210318a-eng.htm
2 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020006/article/00001-eng.htm
#AntyxUnplugged - Ashleigh
During the past year, I’ve struggled to find a balance between screen time and unplugging. Since I was not leaving my home, it was hard to feel productive and establish a routine if I wasn’t at my computer typing away. However, after enough long days, I started to feel Zoom fatigue and burnout and realized I needed a way to take a break that wasn’t just throwing on Netflix, yet another screen. That’s why I’ve recently started meal prepping to unplug!
I enjoy cooking in my free time, and I found that this is a way to combine a hobby while still preparing for the week so that it doesn’t feel like another chore when 5 p.m. rolls around. What works best for me is preparing staples that are usually included in my meals like rice, potatoes, roasted veggies and the like! Even though diets are individualistic, ingredients can be substituted to your liking. I usually throw on some music and spend an hour or so just buzzing around my kitchen. I do this twice a week, but meals can be frozen if I need to cook a larger batch in advance. This is a great way for me to take a break from my daily responsibilities and just enjoy the time with myself. How do you unplug? #AntyxUnplugged