Although national lockdowns worked to stop the spread of COVID-19, there is some evidence to suggest that they also made other health issues more common due to lifestyle changes and the fact that fewer people visited the doctor during this time. So, with three lockdowns behind us, if you believe that lockdown affected your health, here is a guide to the most common ways that it may have affected you and what you can do about it.
Smoking
Although the coronavirus pandemic has led more people to quit smoking than ever before, some studies have also shown that smokers have stress smoked through the pandemic and that many people who have previously quit took the habit back up during lockdown. Then, if you believe that your smoking habit has been negatively affected by the string of lockdowns that have been placed on the UK, you should consider switching to e-cigarettes. At Ecigwizard, they can supply you with the high-quality e-liquid that you need to get started and stamp down on your cigarette smoking.
Mental Health
However, one of the worst ways that lockdown has affected the nation’s health is in terms of mental health. At the height of the first lockdown, the numbers of people with depression and anxiety tripled, and this increased with each further lockdown. Conversely, fewer people sought help for their mental health during the height of each lockdown. Then, if you are starting to show signs of depression and anxiety, it is paramount that you seek the help of a doctor, who will be able to give you contact numbers for therapists and who may be able to prescribe you medication. You can also take steps like doing regular exercise, performing meditation and mindfulness exercises, and journalling.
Sedentary Lifestyle
With the ‘stay at home’ slogan being in place for many months, many people have been unable to enjoy their usual pursuits, from socialising with friends to going to the gym, which has led to a proliferation of sedentary lifestyles. Then, you should make sure that you still take advantage of the outdoors by walking or cycling, walk around your house every so often, and ensure that you take screen breaks.
Vision
Many people spent much more time on screens during lockdown than in previous years, with meetings and clubs moving onto Zoom and many employees finding themselves working from home. However, a large amount of screen time can affect your vision, leading to temporary eye strain and blurred vision. If this is the case, you should consider looking at eye exercises, visiting your optician, taking breaks from your screen, and using eye drops.
Teeth
Some people have been unable to get the dental care that they need throughout the past year, with many appointments for regular check-ups being delayed. This has had a detrimental impact on the UK’s teeth, with there being many cases of tooth decay, which, if left for a long time, could cause further issues that may require surgery. Then, you should make sure that you look after your teeth and that you do not avoid visiting the dentist if you are in pain.
