By Melissa Galush
Client Care Coordinator
While we are all aware of the effects the pandemic is having on our physical health, we sometimes minimize the effects it is having on our mental health as well. According to a recent survey from the CDC, more than 4 in 10 Americans are struggling with mental health issues stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. We all know the things we need to do to protect our physical health: wearing masks, washing our hands, staying six feet away from those around us, but few of us seem to be focusing on what we need to do to protect our mental health with as much vigilance. Here are a few things we can all do to help protect our mental health at a time where social distancing and stay-at-home orders seem to be doing anything but that:
- Establish a “quararoutine”: Disruption in our normal routines can be one of the hardest aspects of quarantine. Begin creating a new quarantine routine, or quararoutine, for yourself to help structure your day and maintain a sense of normalcy.
- Stay active: Even short periods of activity can have drastic effects on our mental health. Take a walk around the block. Try a workout video on YouTube. Play ‘Simon Says’ with exercise.
- Combat boredom: Few of us enjoy being bored and oftentimes boredom gives us time to ruminate on negative thoughts and feelings. This is a great time to try engaging in a new hobby, such as baking, gardening, or a musical instrument. If that feels like too much, start small. Try coloring books or rock painting.
- Stay connected: Staying in touch with friends and family is so important for our mental health. Schedule regular phone calls or set up frequent video chats with friends and family to minimize feelings of isolation and loneliness.
We are all waiting out this pandemic together, yet completely alone. As the future becomes more and more uncertain and our lack of human interaction takes its toll, our mental health continues to suffer. These are just a few small things we can do to help improve and protect our mental health during these times of uncertainty. We’re all in this together, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
