Coronavirus has been a troubling time for all of us. What started as just a regional outbreak later came to be a worldwide pandemic. Ever since December 2019, people have been in a state of quarantine all across the planet.
While, this quarantine is for our own safety, but has had a toll on our mental health during COVID-19 and well-being. Increased isolation has led to the worsening of many mental health conditions. If we don’t take care of our psychological state, it could lead to several issues such as psychosis and the development of depression.
But, still, a lot rests in our hands. We can use the following techniques for our own advantage so our mental health stays afloat during the pandemic.
How to take care of your mental health during COVID-19
One of the biggest changes that were influenced in our life because of the pandemic was increased repetition of days and no new activity to keep ourselves occupied. The idler we are the worse it can get for our mental state.
One of the best methods to maintain a good state of mind is to keep ourselves occupied in something that can add meaning in our life and also give us an outlet to spend our time in a healthy activity. Try indoor sports or engage in hobbies such as books reading and videogames.
The next thing you can do is try relaxation techniques multiple times a day. Social distancing can make us do the same task multiple times a day whether it’s work, watching our favorite shows, or just sitting idle. This can lead to increased stress.
The best way to tackle stress is to engage in relaxation techniques such as meditation, tai chi, yoga, and deep breathing. You can learn your desired technique and practice it multiple times a day so you don’t feel overwhelmed and stay mentally fit.
As we are social animals, socializing is an important aspect of our lives to keep us mentally sane. During quarantine, our contact with friends and loved ones have come to a halt. But we can use technology to our advantage and stay in touch with our circle through social media. You can also try playing multiplayer games with your friends. In this way, you can stay in touch with one another without physically being with one another.
The pandemic has also presented us with an opportunity as a form of break from our usual life. You can consider this a pause from your work life. You can use this time to improve yourself and fill in the blocks where you lack. You can learn new skills online or try improving your existing skills. There are plenty of tutorials available online and you can use these to your advantage. This way, you’ll find a good way to spend time and also learn something that can help you once the quarantine gets lifted.
Another great way for you to maintain your mental health during COVID-19 is to participate in some physical activity such as exercise or indoor sports. There are many home workouts where you can do a lot of exercise in low space. Exercising releases hormones called endorphins in your body. Endorphins not only make you feel better but naturally decrease your stress in the body. By doing exercise you will stay physically fit and also ward off any negative emotions.
Conclusion
However, if your conditions seem too dire and you can’t seem to control your emotions you can always get online therapy.
Using the techniques mentioned above will not only help you stay engaged but also give you a coping mechanism to keep any mental illnesses and psychosis at bay. Some form of tension will arise during this time, but it is up to us to keep ourselves safe and mentally protected by following the most healthy mental health practices.