The world has changed drastically with this global pandemic. Many people’s worlds were flipped upside down. COVID-19 has impacted people in different ways depending on one’s situation, background and community. There are a number of different tools and skills one can use to help them with their mental health and well-being during this time.
The stress from this pandemic has caused strong emotions for both children and adults. This disease has impacted people’s mental health and well-being in a number of different ways including:
- Fear and worry about your health and your loved ones
- Increased anxiety and panic
- Feelings of grief
- Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
- Relationship conflict
- Feelings of isolation and hopelessness
- Worsening of mental health conditions
- Worsening of health problems
- Increase in alcohol and/or drug use
For many people, this pandemic has triggered unhealed and unprocessed wounds from the past. It has brought to the surface everything that remains to be healed within us. This can be an opportunity for greater healing and growth, or it can be detrimental to one’s health and well-being. We have all been forced to look within and at our life. It is a good time to reflect on where we would like to go in our lives, how we would like to feel and what we would like to accomplish.
We are all sitting in uncertainty, a place none of us are very good at staying for too long. We are used to our routines and distractions that keep us moving forward and give us a sense of control. With the increase in the unknown many feel increasingly agitated. It is important to incorporate into your life practices that will help with your health and well-being.
It can be difficult to create new routines at home but when we fail to incorporate things into our life that nourishes us, we suffer. Here are some mental health tips that may help:
Ways to Cope during this difficult time
Self-Compassion: We all know what it means to be compassionate, but many people struggle applying it to themselves. There is a belief that self-compassion may be selfish or lets us off the hook for things. In reality, when we treat ourselves like we would someone we loved we thrive.
Be present: The practice of mindfulness involves purposeful focusing one’s attention on the present moment and accepting it without judgement. It helps you shift your attention from your worries, fears and anxiety to more awareness of and appreciating the present moment. Too often we are in our heads going over the past and worrying about the future, we completely miss out on life. Mindfulness is a practice which will help you find a new way of being in the world and in your own mind. There are a lot of different resources that can support you with cultivating more mindfulness in your life.
Stay Connected: It is important to not isolate yourself from the people you love, through the telephone, online applications, and plan social distancing dates with friends and family. You do not have to go through this alone and you will do better if you reach out and connect to other people.
Take Care of Your Body: Make sure you check in to see what your body needs during this time. Often, we need to move our bodies to feel good but make sure you do so in a way that is meaningful to you. It may be yoga, stretching, walking, running, Zumba, dance, etc. It is important to also nourish our body with proper nutrition to make sure we are getting in a healthy amount of protein, veggies and fruit.
Reach Out For Help: If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed with emotions such as anxiety, depression and grief it may be a good time to reach out for professional help. We all have our unique challenges during this time and it is a strength not a weakness to reach out for support.
Read more more about Paula Cornes and her support therapies here
