Protecting mental health amid the Coronavirus
These are trying times we’re living in. With so much uncertainty surrounding us, it’s no wonder so many of us are experiencing feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and even depression during this time of isolation due to the Coronavirus outbreak. That’s exactly why, now more than ever, it’s imperative that we take the steps to properly protect and manage our mental health.
What is mental health and why is it important?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. This means it can affect how we think, feel and act as we go through life. It determines how we handle things that come our way, such as stress and how we make decisions. When we overthink, obsess, worry and focus our attention on things that feel overwhelming, it can be devastating to our mental health. Unfortunately, a poor mental state can actually have a negative impact on our physical health. Allowing stress and anxiety to take control, can actually lead to a weaker immune system, along with hormone imbalance, fatigue and a whole host of other issues.
Prioritizing mental health is important because it helps us keep daily stressors in check, improves personal relationships and can even make us more productive when we maintain a positive outlook. It can be easy to forget that mental and physical health go hand in hand, but balance in all areas of life really is the key to optimal health + wellness.
Being mindful of our mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak
Checking in with yourself, and being mindful of your mental health is always a good idea, but it’s especially important during a time like this. With a global pandemic on our hands, we are living in a state of uncertainty, fear and oftentimes, even panic. Our thoughts and emotions are primed for spiraling out of control. Whether it’s fear of getting sick, protecting our family, or figuring out how to maintain the household income, there is plenty of opportunity for our thoughts to take control of the wheel and drive us right into anxiety, and even depression.
One of the beautiful things about this quarantine and isolation stage that we’re in, is that it allows us the time to really disconnect and get centered. A few weeks ago, we might’ve had the excuse of being too busy, or simply not having the luxury of scheduling time for mindfulness into our daily routine. But now, we have been sort of forced to slow down. I know there are plenty of households where both parents are now working from home, so things can be pretty hectic. I know you may not have all the time in the world, but we definitely have a better opportunity for setting time aside to check in with our thoughts, and even do some journaling, or mindfulness exercises.
This can be anything from five minutes of deep breathing, to working through some self-discovery worksheets. Any time we start to feel the anxiety rearing its ugly head, that’s our cue to take a step back, and ask ourselves where it’s coming from, and how can we replace this thought with a more positive one.
For example, ask yourself where does the fear really come from? Is it that you are afraid you will get sick and die? Or is it driven by the current financial uncertainty? Once we identify the source, we can choose to replace that thought with something more positive - maybe you’re grateful that you were able to get groceries, or maybe you’re most grateful that no one in your family has gotten sick during this time - that’s where you want to redirect your attention.
How to manage and protect our mental health during this time
This is actually the perfect time to invest in protecting our mental health. A few ways to get started are:
Limit the amount of news coverage you consume on a daily basis, and be sure that you’re getting your news from trusted sources, rather than outlets who practice sensationalism.
Limit the amount of time you’re on social media. Yes, this can be tough when you feel stuck at home, but social media makes it really easy to share your experience and unfortunately, some people are experiencing nothing but extreme panic. Whether it’s warranted or not, we don’t need to be taking on anyone else’s fear and panic, only to make ours that much worse.
Meditate, journal and maintain a daily self love practice. Meditating, even for just five minutes a day while implementing deep breathing, can be an incredible tool for decluttering the mind, and getting back to basics.
Get your body moving, even though you’re stuck at home! Increasing blood flow, keeping the lymphatic system clear and promoting a good night’s sleep are just a few of the benefits of exercise and movement - all of which can have a positive impact on our mental health while we’re in isolation.
Connect and nurture the meaningful relationships in your life. This means calling up old friends and family members that you’ve been meaning to connect with, but just never seemed to have the time. These loving connections keep our “feel good” hormones at optimal levels, good for the soul and good for the body.
Reach out to a professional if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Therapy sessions have become more and more easily accessible over the last few years, many being done online, or from your phone via FaceTime. A service like Talkspace will actually match you up with a licensed therapist who you can even text to express yourself in real time.
Remember to get enough Vitamin D and take in some sunshine when you can - while practicing social distancing, of course! The fresh air is great for our minds and our bodies.
Get started
At the end of the day, this is a strange time we are living in. We’ve never been here before, and we aren’t quite sure how to adjust - that’s totally normal! However, if we actively look for a silver lining, we can start to embrace this slower time as an opportunity, rather than a burden.
Protecting our mental health and practicing mindfulness during this time, will help us to feel more balanced. Remember that mental and physical health go hand in hand, and we must maintain both for optimal, overall health and wellness.
xoxo,
Lindsay