How to cope with the physical changes of lockdown

The pandemic has caused us all to change our lives in ways we never could have even imagined. Just a few short months ago, had you been told all this would happen, it’s likely you would have just brushed the idea off with little concern. Fast forward just a few months, and many of us have had to get used to staying indoors, working from home and having little social contact.

While many of us have taken this opportunity to make positive changes, that in itself has caused an increase in physical problems. On the flipside, some of us are living a much more sedentary life than we are used to. This has also created complications. If you’re struggling with the physical changes of lockdown, here’s how you can improve new or recurring issues…

There are many ways in which lockdown has impacted us negatively, one of which is physically. For some, going from an active lifestyle to a sedentary lifestyle has caused an increase in physical problems, including chronic neck and back ache. Others that have taken a different approach and actually used the extra time to increase exercise have seen an increase in injury. 

It’s not just during waking hours that these issues are arising though. We have also seen an increase in sleep problems. Many people are reporting vivid dreams during lockdown, including dreams about stress, anxiety and uncertainty. This as well as increased stress during the day can cause you to tense during your sleep or toss and turn, often causing tension in the neck and shoulders.

Finally, those that were seeking treatment with chiropractors before lockdown have been unable to continue their treatment for a number of months. We’ve noted that this has meant a step backwards for many in terms of pain. However, we’ve also noted it’s not taken too long for those receiving regular care with us to get on top of it too. 

Improving Sleep Quality

As mentioned above, there’s a variety of reasons why you might be struggling with your sleep. Not only does poor sleep quality increase your stress levels, it also causes physical issues such as tension. It is possible to improve sleep related problems, however.

Try limiting screen time before you go to bed, by turning off all screens and putting away your phone at least an hour before you go to sleep. Instead try reading and doing 10 minutes of meditation to prepare your body and mind for rest. For more tips on improving your sleep quality, check out our sleep series: https://connectivechiropractic.co.uk/sleep-tips-to-get-a-better-nights-sleep/

Seek Help

Don’t suffer in silence, particularly with issues that have been troubling you for a while, or any problems that arise that stop you being able to go about your daily routine. We are thrilled to be able to treat our patients again, so don’t delay in getting any issues that have arisen in lockdown or have become worse because of lockdown. In order to help with the impact of lockdown, we are offering £50 off our Onboarding Session, which includes your initial consultation, assessment and a report of our findings and recommended treatment. Find out more about this offer here: https://connectivechiropractic.co.uk/50-OFF/