How To Thrive Physically and Emotionally During COVID-19
In the midst of a life altering event, such as this pandemic, we find ourselves wishing for a bit of normalcy. The world is facing so much uncertainty which conflicts with our natural instinct for control and balance.
Despite these challenges, we are learning how incredibly resilient we can be; we have temporarily adapted to a new way of life and have become hyper-aware of our body and environment as never seen before.
Collectively, many people have expressed feeling productive and motivated on some days, yet at the same rate, those same people continue to report feeling higher levels of anxiety, fear, and stress. How can we continue to be productive under these circumstances and seek balance in our lives without compromising our mental health?
- Clean Home, Clean Body, Clean Mind
- HOME: Spending some time each week to declutter, organize, and clean your home space isn’t just hygienic but it is essential to our mental health. Studies have shown that people function better when their homes are clean and their work/living space is free of clutter. Even buying your weekly fresh flowers can brighten up any space!
- BODY: A clean body isn’t solely focused on a simple shower and change of clothing, it is also highly influenced by what we are eating. Indulging in a low carb, low sodium, high fiber diet, and limiting our alcohol consumption can be key components to improving the way we feel. Maintaining ourselves hydrated by drinking the recommended amount of water and indulging in our favorite fruits can help boost up any mood.
- MIND: Similar to our consumption of food, we should also be more aware of our media intake. Limiting the amount of time you spend on social media and news outlets can significantly decrease our anxiety and stress response. Although it is important to stay informed, becoming mindful of your own limits and choosing reliable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO).
- Stay Connected
- Maintaining regular video or telephone conversations with family and friends can decrease our feelings of loneliness. Openly exploring your fears, worries, and gratitudes out loud with these key people can help you feel validated and normalize your current state of being.
- Stay Active
- Engaging in any form of daily physical activity regimen can help increase endorphins and boost your mood. These activities can be simply any 10-30 minute activity that you can do safely ( walking, dancing, jumping jacks, or stretching). The key is to get your body moving and your heart pumping. Bonus points if you’re able to get fresh air whilst social distancing.
- Stay Mindful
- More importantly, stay connected with yourself. Become aware of your trigger warnings, recognize your mental health needs and seek help when needed. Remember to continue your medication during these times, and always report any changes in mood or side effects to your doctor.
Siuna Esmaili, LCSW
Recruitment & Outreach Director
The information on this blog is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat a medical or psychiatric illness. It is for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of medical and psychiatric illness can only be done by a licensed clinical professional, and mentalfitnessclinic.com recommends consulting with a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or issues you may have. This blog cannot be used as a substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional.
Sources:
American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Center for Work Place Mental Health
Working Remotely During Covid-19: Your Mental Health and Well-beinghttp://workplacementalhealth.org/News-Events/Blog/March-2020/Working-Remotely-During-COVID-19-Your-Mental-Heal
Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention.
Coping with Stress
April 30. 2020
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fmanaging-stress-anxiety.html