Protect Your Mental Wellness

Limit Information Intake

Of course, it’s important to stay informed right now. However, that does not mean compulsively and obsessively checking every news source and social media post. A non-stop stream of information can cause anxiety and stress. You can lower anxiety by taking breaks from the news and by checking back at specific times during the day, maybe just once or twice. You should also limit your information to trusted sources that stick to the facts.

Stay Connected

While we’re all social distancing from one another, that does not mean you shouldn’t find ways to connect to friends and loved ones. Connectedness is critically important to ward off loneliness. Whether it’s texts, phone calls or video chats, you should reach out to others. If you have someone you can trust to talk about how you’re feeling, they should certainly be on your list!

Take Care Physically

Now is the time to take care of yourself physically as well. Keeping your sleep, nutrition and exercise routines in place will help with your mental health, as well. Maintaining a sense of normalcy in times of uncertainty is especially important. This goes for hygiene as well. Getting up and getting dressed every day, even if it’s in much more comfortable clothes, can help both your mood and motivation level. When you look good, you feel good!

Remember That It’s Okay to Enjoy Things

Remaining in a state of constant despair and anxiety is not going to help anyone. Distract yourself with hobbies and activities you enjoy. Turn off the news and listen to music. Watch silly movies and play video games. Making time to unwind is not being selfish, it’s practicing self-care. Go ahead and dance, laugh, sing, read, garden or any other activity that brings you joy. You should, however, avoid overindulging in alcohol, which is a depressant.

Avoid “Catastrophizing”

Defined as an irrational thought process that escalates events as being far worse than they are, catastrophizing is sometimes hard to avoid during routine life. Now that we are dealing with a global pandemic, it’s easy to get stuck in this negative and stressful way of thinking. There are ways you can stop it. Instead of imagining the worst-case scenario, consider your current reality – you are healthy now, you have the resources you need, you have a place to stay, etc. Limiting news and connecting with others can help stop catastrophizing, too.