How to Improve Your Mental Health in Times of COVID 19

The coronavirus disease has been stressful for the majority of people across the world. Fear and anxiety about this dangerous disease and what could happen to us or our loved ones can be overwhelming and generate strong emotions for both children and adults. There’s a lot of advice being offered on how to keep yourself physically and mentally fit during the pandemic. Some of the measures put in place to control the spread of this deadly virus are washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer, practicing social distancing and staying at home as much as you can. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Here are some tips that you can use to take care of your mind during this difficult time.

Coronavirus and Your Mental Health

The coronavirus disease can take a toll on your mind in many ways. Being aware of these ways will help you adjust accordingly and take measures to combat these challenges.

1. Stress

According to essay writer service, worrying about how you are going to survive and the fear of catching the virus are the top two stresses that can take a toll on you. You may have other practical problems such as child-care issues and how to keep your business up and running. You are dealing with uncertainty. There are many things that we don’t know yet about this virus. Your day-to-day life will change as governments continue enforcing strict regulations.

2. Disruptions

If you had planned to attend a social gathering, you may have to postpone it. You may also be required to work from home while looking after your children. A change in your routine can reduce your productivity and performance. And this will take a toll on your mental health.

3. Social distancing

Since you’ll be spending most of your time at home, you’ll be interacting with very few people. If you live alone, you might not get the opportunity to see your family and friends face-to-face. And this can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

4. Lack of physical activity

If you were used to walking to get to work or working out regularly, it’s highly likely that you are now less physically active. Most gyms have been shut down temporarily in a bid to support social distancing. Lack of physical exercise can lead to mental illnesses.

Simple Tips to Improve Your Mental Health

1. Take a break from the news

While it’s important to stay updated on developments with the pandemic, watching the news a dozen times a day will negatively affect you. Your mental health will improve if you limit the consumption of news to once or twice a day. You won’t miss out on any crucial information.

2. Focus on things in your control

As essay review service reports, a lot of things are outside your control during this pandemic. Thinking about them for hours won’t do you any good. You need to focus on things that you can control such as keeping yourself and your loved ones safe, washing hands, and managing your finances. You can also control how you communicate with others and the time you spend on social media.

3. Adopt healthy coping mechanisms

Some of the best coping techniques may not be accessible to you at the moment such as meeting with a friend or hitting the gym. Therefore, it’s important to think about the healthy coping techniques that you’ll adopt when you are feeling sad, anxious or overwhelmed. Some of the best healthy coping techniques include journaling, meditating and chatting on the phone with a friend.

4. Consume healthy foods

During stressful times, most people turn to junk food. These foods are comforting in the short-term. However, they’ll negatively affect your physical and mental health in the long run. Instead of turning to junk, consume healthy snacks and whole foods. A healthy diet will help you manage your weight while promoting feelings of well-being. A healthy diet will improve the quality of your sleep, boost energy levels, immunity and stabilize your mental health.

5. Stay active

Physical activity helps you manage your weight whilst improving your mood. Just because you’ll be spending a lot of time at home doesn’t mean that you can’t exercise. There are a lot of home workout videos and guided yoga sessions on YouTube. Working out regularly will not only boost your confidence level but also generate feelings of pleasure.

6. Fear and anxiety are normal

COVID-19 is new to us. And so are things like social distancing and isolation. Don’t feel guilty for feeling anxious or worried. The fear and anxiety play an important role in inspiring you to take measures to protect yourself and your loved ones. Whenever you start feeling anxious or fearful, you can journal, meditate or chat with a friend.

7. Be kind to yourself

Managing your thoughts and emotions during this pandemic is tough. Most of us have never been through such an experience. No one knows what might happen in the future. We are coming up with new ways to manage the spread and cope as we go along. You might be feeling anxious, lost, confused and worried. However, you are not alone. Allow yourself to connect with your emotions. And most importantly, be patient with yourself. Don’t force yourself to think positively or push away feelings. There are no good or bad emotions as long as you can control yourself. When you are kind to yourself, others will be kind to you too. If your mental health is declining despite adopting these simple ways, it may be time to seek professional help and support. Since most of them have limited face to face contact, you may have to call them or try online therapy. Your mental health should be a top priority during times of uncertainty. Most health plans cover mental health. If you need to buy a new health plan, we can help find you the best value. Begin by entering your zip code below.