It goes without saying that the worldwide coronavirus pandemic has added huge amounts of stress and anxiety to our lives. With lockdowns, safety measures, and a completely new idea of what is “normal,” it only makes sense that many people are struggling with their mental health during this time. Visit this page if you wish to speak with a mental health professional, or read on to learn about several simple actions you can take to help care for your mental health and keep your mindset in a more positive place.
- Take breaks from negativity.
Unfortunately, over the past year, the news and social media have been filled with stressful and negative information. Fortunately, however, you do get to decide whether or not you consume media. Therefore, allow yourself to take a break from watching the news, scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, and constantly absorbing negativity. This isn’t to say that you should never watch the news or that you shouldn’t stay informed regarding current events, but it is important to allow yourself time to decompress, relax, and find some peace. This could be as simple as logging off for a few days, or choosing only to watch positive, uplifting media for a short period. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything that’s going on in the world, that’s completely understandable, and taking a break can have more of a beneficial effect than you may realize.
- Make time for yourself.
Remember, it’s not selfish to take time for yourself—it’s actually necessary to do so. Taking time for yourself doesn’t imply that you need to go off on a vacation or completely shirk your responsibilities. Instead, try carving out small chunks of time throughout the day to engage in activities that you enjoy. For example, you could start the day with 20 minutes to drink a cup of tea and read a motivational book to encourage a positive mindset. You could blast your favorite music while taking a long, hot shower before work. You could spend half an hour doing yoga, meditating, taking a walk, or engaging in another physical activity. Whatever you choose to do during the time you schedule for yourself is up to you! Just make sure that it’s something that boosts your mood and makes you feel more capable of taking on the day ahead of you.
- Stay connected with loved ones.
Even if you’re unable to connect with family and friends in person, nowadays we are lucky enough to have advanced technology that enables us to stay in contact with the people we care about, no matter the distance. A simple text, phone call, or video chat with a friend or family member can have wonderful effects on your mental health. Although many of us have felt a bit isolated since the pandemic began, there are still many ways to reach out and nurture the relationships and connections that we hold near and dear to our hearts.
- Take care of your physical health.
It’s always important to stay as healthy as possible, but in the time of a worldwide pandemic, good health becomes even more essential. We’ve all heard the advice to drink lots of water, eat a balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and exercise frequently, but we often underestimate just how much these simple tips can improve our physical and mental health. Now is a great time to implement healthier habits and find new kinds of physical activity that we enjoy. Of course, with good physical health comes enhanced mental well-being, so taking care of yourself physically is a wonderful way to also take care of your mental health during the pandemic.
- Maintain a routine and stay busy.
Since the pandemic began, many of us started to work from home. For some, working from home sounded like a dream come true. The idea of getting paid while working in our pajamas on our own schedule seemed pretty great. But sadly, without a regular routine, life can start to feel a bit out of control. So if you feel like your mental health needs some extra TLC during these trying times, take a look at your daily routine and see if you can add some structure. This goes not only for working hours, but also for your sleep schedule. It’s important to make sure that you have time for activities you enjoy as well! In addition, keeping yourself busy rather than streaming episodes for hours on end will also have a beneficial effect. There’s no problem with taking breaks or days off once in a while, but you’ll find that sticking to a regular routine most of the time is very helpful in keeping you grounded and motivated.
The Bottom Line
It’s not surprising that many of us have struggled a bit with our mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. Thankfully, though, there are several simple ways that you can take care of your mental health and improve your overall well-being. Allowing yourself to take breaks from the constant negativity, carving out time for yourself throughout the day, and staying in touch with loved ones are just a few ways to maintain your sanity and feel more in control of your life. Taking care of your physical health and keeping up a regular routine can also add normalcy and a sense of calm to this period of adjustment to the “new normal.”