As discussed in my previous blog ‘Living through the pandemic era’ the past year has been a challenging one for all of us in many different ways. This pandemic affected people economically but mostly in some way or another it affected our mental health. People are more likely to suffer from anxiety and studies show that there was an increase in depression. It is very important to take care of our mental health state. In this blog, I will be sharing some tips how to practice self-care to maintain our mental wellbeing during this pandemic and to remain calm.
The following are some tips how to take care of your mental health:-
- Attention to nutrition
Try to stick to the usual schedule of foods, that is; breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner.
- Be aware of your tolerance levels
Being aware of your tolerance levels is important therefore, be conscious of when you experience anxiety so that you take action to self-regulate.
- Maintain a positive attitude
By maintaining a positive attitude we build our resilience. Be positive and be grateful to the positive things that you have and also focus on the things that you can control whereas you need to accept what you cannot control.
- Self-care activities
Stay active especially by taking a stroll outdoors or if not possible be active indoors; follow an online workout session or a yoga session. Furthermore, one can opt to learn a new hobby such as; baking or crafts or take an online course to keep your brains active. Writing a journal or reading a book can also be another option. Writing a journal is found to be a great tool to deal with stress and anxiety. When someone writes a journal it helps to clear one’s thoughts and emotions, it helps in decluttering the mind. It is highly recommended to keep the daily routine such as; sleeping at the same time and for those working from home, where possible separate your working space from your personal space. Don’t forget to unwind by doing relaxing exercises or meditation, these can be found on the internet for free!
- Take your daily dose of happiness by connecting with others
Connecting with others such as; friends, family and loved ones is essential and it can make you feel good. When one feels good the brain releases chemicals and this sustains your body with the daily dose of happiness. Though you cannot meet physically with your relatives and friends but you can make use of other means to keep in touch such as; video calls, texting and phone calls. Video calls can be another means to spend time with your friends and family, even with the ones who are living abroad. Through a video call one can play a board game, an online game or share a cooking recipe to keep connected. I highly recommend the latter as a means to connect grandchildren with their grandparents and keep them connected. Children, teens and the elderly are the most vulnerable as they experience strong emotions and more likely have difficulty in understanding what is happening.
Finally, seek help! Family and friends can support you but do not hesitate to contact for professional service if you need. Reaching out for help is a sign of bravery!
Rachel Osmond is a Family Therapist with Willingness who works with individuals, couples and families. She also has experience with children and adolescents.
References:
Mind my peelings. (2020). ‘Mental Health self-care tips for stress and anxiety’.https://www.mindmypeelings.com/blog/mental-health-covid-19?rq=mental%20health%20self-care%20tips%20