Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

When situations arrive, everyone reacts to them differently, especially stressful situations. The recent COVID-19 crisis is proving to be a stressful situation for most people. Whether it is fear and anxiety about the virus, dealing with the social isolation, or trying to work from home while home schooling your children, this outbreak may take a toll on your mental health. However, it's important to know that you are not alone in this.

Ways to Self-Soothe and Stay on Track

During this time of uncertainty, it is important to take time out for yourself and self-soothe. Some ideas to help boost your mental health during COVID-19 include:

Breathe, Stretch, Meditate- Use this time to practice breathing exercises to reduce stress or anxiety. Try taking in a deep breath, holding it for a count of 5, and then breathe out. Repeat that for 5 minutes each day. You can also try stretching out your body by doing yoga or calming your mind by completing meditation programs. If your kids are home, have them join in on a yoga session!

Nutrition- Be sure to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. A healthy diet is not only good for your body, and a good way to prevent medical problems, but it can also affect your mood. 

Sleep- Make sure you are getting plenty of rest while quarantined. Many think this is the time to binge watch all the shows they've missed. However, getting the proper amount of sleep is important for your mental health. Adults 24-64 need a recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night. 

Mental Breaks- It is important to take breaks from binge watching your favorite episodes, as well as reading or listening to news stories. Taking a break from social media can be good for your mental health during this time as you will not repeatedly see things about the virus that can be upsetting.

Connect with Others- Now is a great time to connect with your friends and family through phone calls, text messages, video chats, or even take the time to write a letter. Talk to the people you love about how you are feeling and your concerns. Check in with your older loved ones or neighbors to ensure they are doing well and have the supplies they need. This can be a very lonely and isolated time, but if you connect with your family and friends virtually, you can lessen the possibility of falling into depression. 

Be a Role Model- While children are out of school, it is important to be a role model during this time. Children are always watching and learning from their parents, caregivers, and the world around them. Teach them the importance of health eating, getting good sleep, exercising, and more.

Routine- With school and work being closed, many families are off their normal routines. Keeping up with your regular routines as much as you can right now can help provide some stability in your life and your child's life. 

Seek Help When You Need It

This is a stressful time and some people will turn to drugs and alcohol to get them through. However, it is important to be wise about your decisions, especially if you have a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse. Try to keep busy, take up a new hobby, or call friends and family to help pass the time so you do not relapse. 

This is an important time to take care of yourself, to let yourself relax and unwind. Take a long, hot bath. Do something you love. Take time for you. 

If you are having a difficult time with your mental health, it is important to seek help when you need to. At Thrive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, we offer online counseling sessions to ensure our patients that they are not alone in this. Our team is here for you, providing you with the support and resources you need. For more information on our services, please call us today. 

Stay safe. Stay healthy. We will all get through this.