What can we do to ensure good mental health during COVID-times. In honor of October, Mental Health Awareness Month, we have some information and strategies that can improve your mental health.
As if living through a pandemic is not stressful enough, one of the ways to help manage the pandemic leaves us isolated from others. We can be anxious about the virus, and now have fewer chances to get together with others for comfort, dialogue, or even taking your mind off of the situation for a bit. Social distancing is an important step in controlling the spread of this disease, but it does foster a sense of isolation.
Symptoms
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) lists the following symptoms as ones to indicate you may be feeling stress due to the pandemic:
- Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on.
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
- Worsening of chronic health problems.
- Worsening of mental health conditions.
- Increased use of tobacco, and/or alcohol and other substances.
These are “normal” reactions to stress, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer with them.
Coping with Stress
Consider using multiple strategies to deal with stress. The CDC suggests some of the following ideas:
Educate and inform yourself first. Knowledge is power.
- Educate yourself. Know the symptoms to look for in regards to COVID.
- Contact a medical professional before you start any self-treatment.
- Find local resources including counseling through your health plan, employee assistance program, or local mental health providers.
Care for your emotional and physical health. This will help you think clearly and make better decisions under stress.
- Take breaks from the news and social media.
- Exercise every day, if possible.
- Eat well.
- Practice deep breathing or meditation.
- Sleep.
- Use moderation in alcohol.
- Find time for hobbies and activities you enjoy.
- Find ways to do things with others. This may be on-line family conference calls, or baking the same recipe with friends over Zoom.
- Consider meeting with people outside and socially distanced.
- Connect with faith-based organizations. Many services are available on-line, or in a socially distanced form.
Remember that supplements are just that—supplemental. They do not make up for a miserable diet. Eat healthy and during this Corona-time, supplement to be sure you are getting the vitamins you need.
While 2020 has certainly been a stressful year, it is always possible to look for the positive in some situations. For some people, an increase in family time has been a gift. For others, the slower pace of life provided a much-needed break. Some people have discovered new hobbies, learned new languages, sparked a love of letter-writing or cleared out the garage. Among the uncertainty, frustration and isolation, people do find ways to cope and even to grow. We hope you can find some positives in a very challenging year.
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