By Titilayo
Covid – 19: Check your mental health
The current Covid-19 pandemic is like the world has never experienced. During this period, it is very easy to get caught up in the spread of the virus and lose your mental health.
With all the rapid changes happening around the world, a feeling of uncertainty can leave people helpless and frustrated. And frustration is just a thin line from mental instability. So while preparing to protect yourself from the virus, you should also carefully check your mental health. The following tips have proven to be helpful in balancing physical and mental health during a pandemic.
1. Be more realistic about your physical health
Instead of worrying about how to fully protect yourself from the virus, channel that energy into staying healthy. Boost your immune function by choosing a balanced diet at all times. It’s quite understandable that unhealthy eating can be comforting in times like these, but remember your health is your first priority. You can also add immune-boosting supplements to your diet for more noticeable effects.
2. A little anxiety is not a crime
Don’t worry that you’re worried about the effects of the pandemic. A little nervous here and there is only one sign that you are human. But instead of spending more time worrying, push yourself to take the necessary measures to stay safe. Do your best so you don’t have to go through a ‘what if’ during this pandemic. Encourage yourself. Surely you’ve been through bad situations in the past and you got out of them
strong. Think about how strong you were in those times, and believe that you will be even stronger now.
3. Get enough rest and stay healthy
The anxiety that comes with the overall effects of the pandemic can be very damaging to your body. So the importance of staying healthy and getting enough rest cannot be overemphasized. Try to get enough sleep every day. Stay away from caffeine around your bedtime, keep your sleeping area well-ventilated, and turn off the lights right before bed. In addition, the habit of exercising for an hour a day also helps you stay in shape. Also avoid sitting or staying in one position for too long.
4. Your mental health needs you to stay away
Substance use It’s not too difficult to make alcohol and drugs self-prescribe to relieve mental stress in the face of Covid-19. Unfortunately, using stimulants only provides temporary relief and can become a habit when eyes sparkle. Sadly, any relief you can get from stimulant use often takes a toll on your physical and mental health. Smoking affects your respiratory system, making you more susceptible to viruses. And alcoholic toys with your immune system. When substance use becomes a habit, your mental health is at risk.
5. Your mental health doesn’t need every news headline
Well, it’s pretty obvious that every news channel these days is talking about the virus at a certain hour of the day. But you don’t get to see all the updates – your mental health doesn’t need all the updates. Catching up on the news once a day doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on something important once a day. Most updates usually repeat within the day.
If you’re going to test your mental health, you have to put a limit on the number of stories you read each day. Watching other entertainment channels or spending some time on Netflix can help you maintain mental alertness in the long run.
6. Attract yourself
Since most countries around the world are now under strict no-door regime, you have all the time to do the things you love. You need to keep yourself busy so that there is little or no time to worry and worry. Relax, meditate, study, take an online course or garden. You can also try new recipes, learn a trade, or spend quality time with your family. Simply stay active – without stressing yourself out.
7. Don’t break connection with your loved ones
At times like these, it’s natural to want to communicate and connect with people. Take time to connect with family (if you don’t live with them) and friends. And while physical contact may be somewhat limited during this period, you already have messaging and social networking apps. An occasional video call to your loved ones can also be helpful in taking control of your mental health.
8. Talk to a therapist
When your emotions become more than you can handle on your own, consider talking to a therapist. A therapist can help you understand and manage your emotions better than you can on your own. While it may not be possible to do physical sessions now, you can access various online therapy sessions.
