Ways You can Take Care of Your Mental Health During the Pandemic

We have been facing the pandemic for several months now and it has already changed the world as we know it, leading us to new realities that we didn’t see coming.

From being able to wander wherever our feet take us, our movement outside are now being limited by the rules and regulations to prevent the spread of the virus. From physically reporting to work, some of us are now working from home. From having stable jobs, many are now facing temporary unemployment.

Children are now studying at home either via online or modules, and some people may now even lack physical contact with their family and friends.

Another one of the many changes that we are facing is the existence of several public health actions including social distancing which may also make some people feel isolated and lonely.

It takes time to get used to these new realities.

Although adapting to lifestyle changes is challenging, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) present ways to take care of our mental health and healthy ways to cope with stress during the pandemic. 

How You can Take Care of Your Mental Health During the Pandemic

Here are some of the ways to take care of your mental health and to cope with stress based on the campaigns provided by the WHO and CDC. May you find, if not all, at least even a few of these ways helpful.

Look After Your Mental Health and Cope with Stress

• Have a routine. You can either keep up with daily routines or make new ones
• Reduce how much you interact with news that makes you feel anxious or distressed
• Keep in regular contact with people close to you
• Limit the amount of alcohol you consume or don’t drink alcohol at all
• Take regular breaks from on-screen activities
• Video games can be a way to relax, but be sure to balance your off-line activities in your daily routine
• Take care of your emotional health
• Try to do some other activities you enjoy
• Connect with your community or faith-based organizations
• Sick and are concerned about the virus?
  • Contact a health professional before you start any self-treatment
  • Know where and how to get treatment and other support services

Help and Support Others

• Use your social media accounts to:
  • Promote positive and hopeful stories
  • Correct misinformation wherever you see it
•  Offer support to people in your community who may need it
• Through online or through your community, thank the health-care workers and all the other frontliners

Message from WHO and CDC

“There are lots of things that we can do to look after our own mental health and to help others who may need some extra support and care.”

– WHO

“Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.”

– CDC

Source: World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)