Monday, July 20, 2020
Mental Health in the Time of Covid-19
Monday, July 20, 20202020 has been a year of misfortunes. From wildfires to protests to a global pandemic, people all over the world are suffering. Many are havi...
2020 has been a year of misfortunes. From wildfires to protests to a global pandemic, people all over the world are suffering. Many are having trouble making ends meet, some are experiencing physical health deterioration, and some are going through intense mental stress-- with fear, anxiety, sadness, and depression. These are all normal responses to what the world is facing today. This pandemic is forcing many people lose their jobs, fall sick, and make changes on their daily lives. On top of that, everyone is faced with uncertainty.
There are many ways to cope with mental stress, especially during the time of isolation. Here are some pieces of advice to help you:
1. You must first acknowledge the presence of mental stress. Some people have trouble admitting to themselves that they are mentally unstable. Turning a blind eye to it will only make things worse.
2. Once you accept that you are experiencing this stress, you must then understand yourself and your needs. Disconnect yourself from the world and listen to yourself. For a moment, free your mind from all that troubles you and just take deep breaths. Once you discover what you want to do, do it. It doesn't have to be something big, it just has to be something you like-- something that reconnects you to yourself. It can be as big as quitting your job or something as little as baking bread at midnight.
3. Once you're calm, organize your thoughts. Don't think about everything at once. When you find yourself drowning in thoughts, write them down. Write them all down. When you're done, classify them: Is it necessary? Does it make sense? Will it help you? When your thoughts are organized, go through them one by one. This way, you will reduce all the burden and focus on one problem at a time.
4. Seek help. If you feel like you still have too much going on despite doing all these things, it's time to seek help. You can ask help from a friend, a family member, a significant other, or a medical professional. Do not be afraid to seek assistance. This pandemic is hard for everyone, and everyone needs all the help he/she can get.
5. Accept that there will be bad days. Go easy on yourself and to everyone around you.
There are many ways to cope with mental stress, especially during the time of isolation. Here are some pieces of advice to help you:
1. You must first acknowledge the presence of mental stress. Some people have trouble admitting to themselves that they are mentally unstable. Turning a blind eye to it will only make things worse.
2. Once you accept that you are experiencing this stress, you must then understand yourself and your needs. Disconnect yourself from the world and listen to yourself. For a moment, free your mind from all that troubles you and just take deep breaths. Once you discover what you want to do, do it. It doesn't have to be something big, it just has to be something you like-- something that reconnects you to yourself. It can be as big as quitting your job or something as little as baking bread at midnight.
3. Once you're calm, organize your thoughts. Don't think about everything at once. When you find yourself drowning in thoughts, write them down. Write them all down. When you're done, classify them: Is it necessary? Does it make sense? Will it help you? When your thoughts are organized, go through them one by one. This way, you will reduce all the burden and focus on one problem at a time.
4. Seek help. If you feel like you still have too much going on despite doing all these things, it's time to seek help. You can ask help from a friend, a family member, a significant other, or a medical professional. Do not be afraid to seek assistance. This pandemic is hard for everyone, and everyone needs all the help he/she can get.
5. Accept that there will be bad days. Go easy on yourself and to everyone around you.
