How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During the Pandemic
It’s been nearly nine months since the start of the COVID pandemic, and it seems that the longer it continues, the more apparent it’s becoming that many people are struggling with their mental health.
“Disasters and public health emergencies, such as the one we are living through right now, can lead to significant disruptions and stress,” Dr. Ariadna Forray, a Yale University psychiatrist told the Yale Medicine blog. “The COVID-19 pandemic presents an ongoing disruption to our everyday lives that has significant implications to our psychological wellbeing.”
According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics and the Census Bureau, more than 30% of Americans report symptoms of clinical depression or anxiety since the start of COVID, compared to 11% of Americans the same time last year. That’s a huge increase, which can lead not just to feelings of sadness or fear, but also changes in sleeping or eating habits, new or worsening chronic health conditions, and increased use of substances like tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.
So what do we do about this? The best way to address these concerns is to be direct and proactive. Here are five ways to take care of your mental health during the pandemic:
Limit Media Consumption
Being bombarded by messaging from the news and social media can sometimes take a toll on your mental health and can create more anxiety about COVID. While it’s important to stay informed, try to keep media exposure to a minimum -- say, only for an hour in the morning, for example -- if you know it might be triggering.
Practice Mindfulness
Stay grounded in your body in order to get out of your head. Try meditating (there are some great free apps and videos on YouTube to help get you started!), do some yoga, or keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings. Anything to keep you mindful and present.
Take care of your body
Taking care of your body is important regardless of whether there’s a pandemic, but during one -- and especially if you’re struggling with your mental health -- it’s more crucial than ever to keep up with your physical health. Be sure to get a moderate amount of exercise, get at least seven hours of sleep, eat nutritious meals, and of course, wear a mask and wash your hands.
Socialize (Safely)
According to the Mayo Clinic, “socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.” During COVID, be safe about socializing -- see friends and family outdoors whenever possible and keep a social distance from each other. Wear a mask, and refrain from excessive physical contact. Or see them virtually via FaceTime or Zoom meeting.
Get Professional Help
We’re here to help. The Talk Suite Psychotherapy is a full-service therapy practice, providing professional mental health treatment and counseling in NYC. Our clinicians offer a variety of techniques and therapy models: including, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR and mindfulness. If you’re worried about your mental health or stress, you don’t have to struggle alone. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation, or contact us directly at explore@thetalksuite.com, 917-261-6765.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or chat with a trained crisis counselor on their website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.