By Regina Wheeler (e-Learning consultant at Write My Dissertation and PhD Kingdom; contributing writer at Next Coursework)
There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world, and has had people worrying for their safety. While this can be a scary time for so many, that doesn’t mean that your mental health has to be jeopardized at times like this.
This quick guide will show you some of the many ways to improve and safeguard your mental health during the COVID-19 crisis:
Stick With A Routine
“People’s lives may have changed since the pandemic,” says Roger Kelly, a lifestyle writer at 1Day2Write and OriginWritings, “whether they’ve been furloughed from their jobs, or chosen to work from home instead. In that case, one must find ways to incorporate a new routine that they’re comfortable with, and stick with it. If there are things that HAVEN’T been affected by the pandemic, then stick with those routines like you’d normally would.”
Get Going, And Keep Going
Just because we’re in a pandemic right now, doesn’t mean that you should give up on tending to your own health. You should still keep up with yourself. Waking up in a depressive state can prevent you from going about your day.
Therefore, practice motivating yourself every day. And, practice continuing with life to the best of your ability. Remember: We’re all in this together.
Embrace Mindfulness
No matter what you believe in – what religion, yoga, or meditation you involve yourself in – practice your beliefs in as many ways as possible. At times like these, it’s going to take a lot of praying, meditating, and so on.
Praying and meditating can help you get through the day, despite the catastrophic things that have transpired during the pandemic. Start with a saying: “I can do this!” or “I can handle myself!” When you turn to prayer and meditation, you’ll be one step closer to mindfulness, even at the darkest of times.
Have Consistent Meal Times
It’s important to feed yourself, even if it’s hard to swallow the truth about the pandemic. Also, keep in mind that while comfort foods are okay to have every once in a while, you must also have healthy foods in your meals. In addition, stick with regular meal times, so that you’re on an efficient schedule. Don’t resort to snacking mindlessly and excessively, especially whenever you’re bored or stressed out.
Get Good Sleep
“Times are tough right now, that it can be hard to sleep,” says Thomas Bridges, a psychology blogger at Write My X and Britstudent. “Or, you may be using sleep as an escape from the world as it is right now. However, it’s imperative to get the right amount of sleep every night. Have a schedule in place where you go to bed at a certain hour, and wake up at a certain hour. That means turning off the distractions and the noise at night, and getting into the zone. If it helps, read a book or listen to music. Or, you can listen to guided meditation, which are available for free on sites like YouTube. These routines allow you to observe your thoughts and how you’re feeling, so that you can get caught up with the present moment, and eventually fall asleep.”
Take Care Of Yourself
Finally, this cannot be stressed enough – take care of yourself. Yes, even YOU should be taken care of every so often. Life is already stressful enough; so, why not make sure that you’re doing okay mentally? Rather than kick yourself every time you make a mistake, or worry about negativity, think about all the positives that have transpired thus far in your life. And don’t forget: You’re not alone, when it comes to having feelings of isolation. Not only should you be a supportive person for friends and family, also be supportive of yourself.
Conclusion
While the COVID-19 crisis will continue to be challenging for everyone – even after the pandemic is over – it’s still important to safeguard your mental health. While you might experience a mix of emotions during this time, that’s normal.
As you keep in mind this article on protecting your mental health, you’ll be on your way to coming out stronger, even once the COVID-19 pandemic comes to pass.
So, take care and stay safe!
For more information on how to protect your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, please see “COVID Fatigue? Keeping the Mind Sharp at Home, Work, and Everywhere In-Between.”.
Regina Wheeler is an e-Learning consultant at Write My Dissertation and PhD Kingdom. She is also a contributing writer at Next Coursework. As a professional writer, she has been involved in many writing projects nationwide. As a blogger, she specializes in management, marketing, and finances.