In the past few months, we had to adjust our way of life. A lot of us are feeling a great deal of uncertainty because of the covid-19 pandemic, so it’s important that we don’t forget about our mental health.
It seems as if a lot of things are weighing on our minds. We worry about our family’s health, our job security, and financial stability. Add in feelings of isolation, the pressure to maintain social distancing, adjusting to working from home, the lack of physical contact with family and friends, and boredom – a lot of people are feeling stressed, confused, scared, and anxious.
All these feelings are expected during this time. Sudden changes in our lifestyle can all take a toll on us. Your Dallas dentist would like to share some simple tips on how we can cope with all these feelings. The tips outlined below will prove useful, not only during this special time, but whenever we feel overwhelmed.
Adopting self-care strategies
Practicing self-care is good not only for your physical health, but for your emotional and mental well-being. It can help you take charge of your life!
1. Maintain a regular routine. Keeping a schedule is essential to your mental health. Keep consistent times for work, study, and meals, and stick to a regular bedtime routine. It’s also important that you set time to do activities that you enjoy. Having a sense of predictability will help you feel more in control.
2. Keep yourself busy. Negative thoughts feed depression and anxiety, and a distraction can get you away from this cycle. Identify a new project, enjoy hobbies that you can do at home, exercise or meditate. Filling your everyday with positive activities is a great coping strategy.
3. Draw support from your spiritual life or moral compass. Drawing strength from a belief system will strengthen you and bring you comfort during this time.
4. Think positively. Instead of dwelling on how bad you feel, choose to focus on the positive. How about starting each day by making a list of things that you are thankful for? Work to accept changes as they occur, maintain a sense of hope, and try to keep things in perspective.
5. Connect with others. Avoid social isolation by making virtual connections with family and friends through text, email, or video calling.
Everyone reacts differently to various situations, and your feelings of anxiety are valid. We live in a time where technology allows us to connect with our family and loved ones. If you experience worsening of mental health symptoms, seek help. Continue these self-care strategies to increase your ability to cope and take care of your mental health.
Sources:
“Mental health & COVID-19,” WHO, https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/covid-19
“Coping with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak,” WHO, https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdf
“Mental health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak,” Lifeline, https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/topics/mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
“Mental Health And COVID-19 – Information And Resources,” Mental Health America, https://mhanational.org/covid19#MentalHealthInformationForDiseaseOutbreaks
