Between the constant breaking news updates on the current pandemic and our new socially distant world, it’s been difficult not to feel an unshaken tidal wave of ongoing anxiety or depression.
Given all of the current events, my anxiety-filled brain completely shut down. There weren’t any moments of sheer panic or crying due to fear; it was more like an anxious nebulous haze that deferred me from focusing on any kind of writing. Although I kept busy with projects around the house that I’ve put off for months and I made a quarantines playlist, this helped keep me going for the first week or so. After completing the home projects, my haziness came back.
Not to mention, this new normalcy of social distancing is another spike on the anxiety chart due to isolation. As an ambivert, I’ve been coping well. However, the loneliness mixed with anxiety is an unfamiliar new anxiousness unfelt before this quarantine/shelter in place level of uproar. At the same time, the pandemic news is inescapable from our screens, especially since the sources of entertainment of yesteryears — such as movie theaters, sporting events, dining, parties, and anything outside our homes- are no longer an option. Oh, and the virus also got Tom Hanks and his lovely Rita Wilson, so all of this fuels our ongoing anxiety/depression (not that we love celebrity culture, Tom Hanks is just the world’s sweetheart).
This is why now more than ever is the crucial moment to get our mental health in check, which’s why we came up with five steps below to help lower our anxieties. For more, visit Virus Anxiety for some fantastic resources.
- Set limits on watching news/current affairs.
This boundary will help detox from the oversaturated state of the news; while we’re not saying to cut off the world, limits will help keep the information overload to a minimum and the online opinions away.
- Use this moment to regroup yourself and visit with family/friends.
Take advantage of resources such as FaceTime, Skype, or other video services like Zoom to schedule virtual dates amongst friends/family. Seeing and speaking with familiar faces of the ones we love can bring so much comfort and peace of mind. For instance, I video chatted with my best friends. This little slice of happiness soothed my soul.
- Set and maintain a structure.
After a spiral, we pick ourselves back up to maintain more of a structure to help ourselves going (I’m currently on this step). For example, keeping a consistent sleep schedule along with eating habits can help. Also having a steady exercise routine, or start one, because body movement is medicine. Like the iconic Elle Woods said, endorphins make you happy.
- Avoid self-neglect.
Whether you’re a firm believer in self-care or not, we all deserve a moment of luxury to look forward to during the pandemic. This self-soothing activity can be whatever you love — such as yoga, meditation, hiking/walking, knitting, journaling, coloring, and more — it can help you focus on little tasks of labor. Additionally, this self-care moment isn’t all about face masks. Self-care extends itself to mental health, so seek support from professionals like therapists, etc. Because we all struggle yet, we are NOT our struggles.
- Set limits on screen time.
Staying “plugged in” only feeds to the looming turmoil so limit on our phones and online, this includes the television. The overstimulation of being tuned in is draining. Also, avoid watching movies or programs that increase fear or worry specifically before bedtime.
Lastly, you don’t have to be rich to take care of your mental health. There are some amazing online resources you can utilize even if you don’t have the financial stability for a therapist irl, same. However, there are FREE apps you can use like Youper and Moodpath. Both have been incredible in my mental health journey.
