The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world to its knees. Lockdowns, curfews, stringent policies against movement continuously affect diverse economic, cultural, and health sectors. Mental health is an integral part of human health that has been dealt a significant blow. Women like us, in particular, suffer from reduced freedom which inhibits our outgoing and interactive nature. Gender role reversal in the modern world has made many mothers take up the mantle as primary or sole breadwinners of the family. I see mompreneurs juggle between taking care of kids who are at home, house chores, and managing businesses. How stressful, we need to manage this stress!
The Smart Fem magazine identifies stress as one of the women’s primary challenges during this Covid 19 pandemic. If you feel depressed during these unprecedented times, you are not alone. Michelle Obama says she is also dealing with a form of depression.
How has Covid-19 affected moms?
While lockdowns enable spending more time with family and loved ones, it affects productivity for mompreneurs. It is impossible to ignore the little ones running in the house, filling it with miraculous laughter. Kids’ activities will automatically indulge you into having fun with the young ones. Constant preoccupation takes its own toll on your mental health.
The help that works
If you feel stressed with the increased mental pressure, please seek help. This is easier said than done. Luckily you may not even need to leave the comfort of your home to get aid. Therapeutic puzzles are home remedies that suffice during this pandemic. Traditional therapeutic methods have been replaced by fun and game activities that lower cortisol, the stress hormone. Building puzzles and board games provide reliable stress-relieving methods.
Before the onset of the pandemic, puzzles were already making a comeback as a way to distract the brain from social isolation. The puzzle frenzy had many internet users posting simpler to complex jigsaw puzzles across social media platforms. While many puzzlers engage in puzzling to combat boredom, it has further benefits. Angela Garcia, Ph.D., a professor at Bentley University, says in her research paper Understanding Jigsaw Puzzlers’ Techniques and Motivations that puzzles reimagine thought processes, emotions, and memories into what she calls guided daydreaming. Puzzles are the only games where imperfection while trying to fit the pieces together is acceptable. The satisfaction of creating fitting puzzles from scratch is therapeutic. I came across Pixel puzzles, where sophistication meets design. They allow you to create your own puzzle with their easy-to-use templates.
You can purchase unique puzzles ranging from famous paintings to fantastic scenery and everything in between for as low as $47. However, for intellectual stimulation while engaging your family, I recommend customized puzzles. You can create puzzles from a template based on your most memorable vacation or even your own home. Bonding during puzzling develops immense satisfaction amongst family members and strengthens the interactions in addition to relieving stress. A win, win, win situation.
Takeaway
As a mompreneur, you now have an inexpensive go-to solution you can rely on to relieve stress. The pandemic has significantly dented most women’s financial ability, with some living from paycheck to paycheck. You no longer have to fret about therapy sessions costs when you can get a puzzle for meager prices. Covid has affected all of us, and I am hopeful that this helped relieve your mental burden.
Another great stress reliever is Morning affirmations