Covid-19 and Your Mental Health
Coping with Your Mental Health During Covid-19
As we all know, we are currently living in unprecedented times. Covid-19, words that are embedded in our brain, as it has been flooding headlines everywhere and overtaken our lives. To most the word “normal” would never be the same again. So, we ask ourselves what the word “normal” even means anymore. This pandemic for most individuals, has been one of the most stressful times they have been through. This has really opened society’s eyes to words MENTAL HEALTH that has been overlooked in the past. The words “mental health:” and mental health awareness has become something that has significantly increased since this pandemic, as fear and anxiety about the disease has overcome us all. The public safety precautions that have been implemented such as social distancing, curfew and so on, has left some feeling a sense of loneliness and isolation. This stress and anxiety only increase with our newsfeed on social media and television as we become overloaded with information, rumors and misinformation. This causes individuals to feel as though everything is out of their control (which in a way is we can help prevent this) and makes it very unclear as to what we should do.
This stress has caused numerous issues amongst members of society affecting them negatively as their mental health continues to decline. Somethings that may spiral due to the pandemic are:
● Worry and fear about your own health as well as your families, financial and, job worries
● Decline in mental health and an increase in chronic health issues
● Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
● Increased concerns about daily life
We all handle situations differently, and as a result we handle all handle stress from this pandemic differently. The way we respond to emergency situation as well as the current situation, can stem from our emotional as well as personal characteristics, our social, financial and economic circumstances as well as the availability of helpful resources. During these times, it is important to note that there are things we cannot control. Stress is a normal psychological reaction we all have to the demands of life at the time. Covid-19 however, has put a lot of people out of their ability to cope. As a result, we should try to focus less on what we cannot control and more on what we can in fact control. After certain disasters and issues as the one at hand, people are resilient and succumb to psychopathology. Everyone also differ in ways in which they are psychologically affected by a pandemic. For example, those that are affected by the virus may be more susceptible to these effects. Health care providers and essential workers are also at an increased risk for adverse psychological problems. Thus, prevention efforts should focus on screening for mental health problems, psychoeducation, and psychological support should focus on these particular groups of individuals. Here are some tips that may be able to help those with increased stress and anxiety and depleting mental health issues.
In dealing with Covid-19 assessment and monitoring of mental health should include stressors of Covid-19 secondary adversities (economic loss etc.), psychological effects (increased substance use, depression etc.), and any indicators of vulnerability.
It is important to note that individuals that currently have a preexisting mental health condition should continue their treatment plan as regular during an emergency and monitor new or worsening symptoms.
Tips for everyone in dealing with COVID-19 and mental health:
SELF CARE IS KEY!
● Ensure you are getting enough sleep. Keep your regular sleep wake cycle even if you’re staying home.
● Keep a well-balanced diet and try to avoid junk food and refined sugar. Try to limit caffeine that may increase stress and anxiety
● Limit screen time throughout the day, especially thirty minutes before bed. Make a conscious effort to limit time on social media, television and the computer.
● RELAX AND RECHARGE!
Mental Health
● Get and also provide a comforting social support through video, phone and even text. Sharing your thoughts and feelings, as well as listening to others can go a very long way. Talking to people in general helps, as a result in a pandemic that we are in, this can help in making us feel safe. Try doing what you would regularly do online or via video call to assist in clearing your mind and keeping you sane. This can help you recognize and find ways to cope with traumatic reactions together.
● Seek professional help if you find it necessary. Thinking that your anxiety or depression will reduce itself or go away can and will lead to these symptoms actually increasing. We are living in a time where mental health has now become a “norm”. The stigma attached to mental health has caused individuals to not seek help. Focus on YOURSELF and seek the help that you need to help YOU! Be an advocate for yourself!
● Limit your exposure to tv and the media. By limiting yourself you are also limiting the flooding of information that causes your stress and anxiety to increase. Allow yourself and your mind to relax for a little and unwind. Distance yourself from what is going on in the world just for a little.
● Try to find ways on focusing on more positive thoughts. Try to sit for at least an hour a day and stop focusing on how bad you feel or triggers that cause your mental health to deplete during the day. Try to maintain a sense of hope and to accept changes that have occurred. Try to start and end your day by listing positive things in both your life and that happened throughout the day. Focus on things that you can or will try to change in your behavior the next day.
● Make connections! This can be done through virtual meeting etc. This would allow you to also do something for others and help their mental health. Tell them things that may work for you or just simply lend a helping ear. It is so critical to realize how much just talking to someone or allowing someone to talk to you about what they are experiencing makes a difference.
● Maintain physical activity throughout the day.
● Try to find some online resources that allow for stress reduction such as meditation techniques, different deep breathing techniques or videos that focus on reducing negative thinking and promoting positive thinking.
Remember COVID-19 is real and is not going anywhere! YOU are in charge of your mental and physical health! Seize any opportunity you can to help yourself and those that are around you to create a better environment for us all!
