Coronavirus and Mental Health

So I had a slew of topics already planned out with their post dates ready to go and this was not one of my topics whatsoever. But, as a social worker, I have to be adaptive and flexible whenever I can.

This past month has been full of stress, anxiety, financial hardship, and possibly loneliness due to the implications of restrictions from the coronavirus. There are some of us that feel relief from being able to work remotely or have altered schedules while we’re social distancing. Yet, there are others that look forward to the routines because they offer a sense of safety that may not be available at home.

There are kids that are able to make a successful transition from being in traditional school to home-based programs, but there are some where traditional school was their only sense of stability. Not to mention the overwhelming amount of children that depend on school for healthy socialization and their meals. Current victims of interpersonal violence that could be quarantined with their abuser(s), and people that suffer from depression. We all have such intertangled and delicate lives that we lead each day.

Some many social issues have been brought to light that people were not aware of, did not think it affected their neighbors or chose to ignore. And I suspect that people’s mental health will be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak as well.

Depression and sadness are different, but the important distinction is that depression impacts your ability to function every day. Depression can be exacerbated by a lack of social interaction, lack of resources, and decreased financial security. If you find yourself feeling hopeless, worthless, have trouble getting out of bed, feeling blue most of the day, all day, and have difficulty with sleep then you could be experiencing depression. If you are able to, I would encourage you to get connected to a mental health provider via telehealth services, such as BetterHelp, Talkspace, or refer to your insurance carrier.

How can I avoid feeling like this? I would highly encourage the following:

1. Maintain routine as much as possible. Wake up, shower, get dressed everyday! Don’t get me wrong sleeping in is great and so is wearing sweats all day, but maintaining a routine can be essential right now. Maybe incorporate some mediation videos-refer to my last post.

2. Eat foods that boost your immune system and mood. Gut health impacts our mental health and our immune system, so make sure to eat meats/ veggies that are high in fat and vitamins. Our brains need fatty foods (like salmon, fish, avocados, etc) for it to continue being its best self. What we put into our bodies affects everything!

3. Get moving! If you are working from home, then be sure to take some time out to go for a walk or do at-home workouts on facetime with your friends or a partner. Physical exercise helps our brains release endorphins which can help improve our mood and also encourage good immune health. By facetiming our friends or partner we are creating community from a distance and also accountability. If you have kids, get them moving too or make a game out of it. Your kids feed off of your energy too and might have trouble adjusting.

(Try Go Noodle or youtube workout programs)

4. Try something new!- This is the perfect time to try a new skill or passion project that you have been on the fence about. Recently, I have been into painting and reading, so my weekends are currently spent reading and watching painting youtube videos. If you find yourself having more free time than usual, then expand your knowledge by listening to podcasts, audiobooks or watch Netflix.

(https://www.skillshare.com/)

5. Limit your Social Media- Social media has great information and can be a source of connection during the time. But, if you find yourself diving into information that is overwhelming or spending large amounts of time mindlessly scrolling, then set some time restraints. Maybe set aside 20-30 minutes per hour to get on social media or whatever works for you.

[Check out Forest App or In Moment]

6. Virtual Worship- If you are thinking about this time to grow in your faith or find comfort in a higher power, then consider virtual worship. A religious community can provide support for so many people and consider it as part of their weekly or daily routine.

Lastly, be intentional with how you are spending your time, the media that you are consuming, and allowing yourself grace during this time of uncertainty. If you are in need of resources in the community or know of some please drop them below! (Nationwide or Ohio based resources only please)

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend, y'all!