Mayim Bialik is best known for her performance in The Big Bang Theory, where she played the popular character of Amy, Sheldon’s love interest. But in real life, Mayim’s personality is nothing like her on-screen persona. The television star has been going through a lot during the quarantine, like most of us, and it is beginning to affect her mental health.
The actress joined Kelly Clarkson on her show through a video chat where she opened up about her struggles during this difficult time. In the past, Bialik had admitted to having OCD and depression, which became only worse during the pandemic.
But a few simple changes helped her break free from this cycle and improve her mental state. Here are 5 lifestyle changes she recommends for being happier even during the lockdown.
Get up and Move
When you’re stuck at home with nothing to do, it can be so easy to sit in front of the TV or the laptop all day, watching Netflix and binging on junk food. But this can quickly turn into a downward spiral for your mental and physical health.
Getting some physical activity in your day can be a great way to break the monotony and put yourself in a good mood. There is strong evidence that suggests that exercise can ward off depression, and even something as simple as yoga can do wonders for your mood. If nothing else, Bialik recommends dancing along with TikTok videos to get your heart rate up.
Learn to Accept and Forgive
We’re going through some unprecedented times right now and it makes complete sense to feel certain emotions that you’ve probably never felt before. Even Bialik isn’t immune to feeling the isolation blues during the current lockdown, but the actress’s advice is to roll with the punches and not put any kind of pressure on yourself to feel better.
You’re Not Alone
Bialik was struggling with mental health issues even before the lockdown, so it’s hard to imagine what her life must be like now. Besides her OCD, now she also has to deal with the additional stress that comes with the lockdown.
Even for an introvert like her, involuntary self-isolation can be challenging. The actress admitted to being lonelier than ever, and her mental health has even started affecting her sleeping habits. To deal with stress, experts recommend mindfulness and meditation, which can have an instant calming effect on your mind.