Mental Health Strategies During COVID
Holy Hanna, these times are HARD. Not so much physically—I mean, I’ve personally adapted pretty well to a sedentary lifestyle—but emotionally. Tasks that I used to breeze through now feel like I’m trudging through mud. If I decide I’m going to go for a walk with a friend in an hour, I have to put it on my calendar or else I might forget about it.
Every single thing requires intentional focus, and that focus is usually lost after about five minutes. I have started listening to an hour-long podcast first thing in the morning, only to never get back to it after a full day of work. I’m mentally darting from here, to there, to everywhere. Even if I get nine hours of sleep at night, I’m still soooo tired. Can anyone relate?
My patience is tested frequently—things that used to be no big deal set me off. I think this is multi-faceted, however. All previous self-care and centering practices such as yoga and mediation have come to a standstill. Which proves to me, by the way, that they were actually working! (Note to self – start doing these things again).
Also, there is the heaviness of the world situation always bubbling right below the surface. I have this intense urge to help and then feel guilty that I’m not following through on the impulses. I am doing some things to help others, but it just doesn’t feel like it’s enough. I think that’s because I want to fix the situation; I want to make this pandemic go away. And I can’t. I have no control over it.
All I can do is offer a little support and do my part by staying home. We are all in this weird space where we want to help those in need, but we are kind of in need, too. Probably not nearly as much as some people, yet we are all still affected by the pandemic. Many of us are worried about our jobs, the economy, retirement accounts, or that someone we love might get the virus.
So how can we endure and sustain?
Here are seven ideas that I’ve personally found helpful:
First off, be kind to ourselves and others. Give grace and set expectations low.
Prioritize self-care. Self-care might mean taking a 20-minute walk by yourself to have some peace away from your family. Maybe it means taking a yoga class online every morning at 7am or daily quiet time before you begin your day. Sadly, it may mean a salad instead of pizza.
Remember to check-in with your emotional wellbeing. Right now, many insurance companies are waiving copayments for teletherapy. I’m taking full advantage and seeing my therapist regularly via Zoom. It is necessary to check-in and protect your emotional wellbeing, always. It’s particularly important during these trying times.
Find inspiration. Attend church online. Follow inspiring people on social media. Listen to podcasts that fuel your soul. Get in touch with nature. Watch a sunrise.
Set a schedule. Maybe nothing too intense, but even something like this is beneficial: I do math homework with Kid 1 every day at 10am and take a walk every day at 4pm. It will anchor your day and give you something to look forward to.
Do NOT work all hours of the day, night, and weekend. Set an intentional work schedule and step away when you are done. If you can, create a separate workspace so you can shut the door and not think about it when you are not working. I promise you will be more productive at work if you switch gears and take breaks. Only machines can be 100% efficient at something for 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Make sure you take downtime where nothing is expected of you other than relaxation.
Find community. This looks very different these days but find ways to connect to other human beings. Maybe sit on the back patio, socially distanced with a neighbor. Social-distance walk with a friend. FaceTime a faraway friend that you haven’t talked to in many months. Set up a Zoom call with extended family. Take a live online class. Join a virtual book club. Call your mother!
If we dig deep enough within ourselves, we will all find that we are stronger than we could have ever imagined and that we are survivors. We are meant to face, adapt, and conquer the challenges that come our way. We can do this. We are doing this. The darker the night, the brighter the morning.
What would you add to this list?