7 Ways to Manage the Effects Covid-19 Has on Your Mental Health

 For many people, Covid-19 has become as much a danger to their mental health as their physical, bodily wellbeing. Plenty of Americans have reported increased stressors on their mental state, and even those who’ve never dealt with mental illness before are experiencing challenges in this area. But there’s some comfort in knowing that while we may be isolating ourselves, we’re not alone when it comes to the things all of us are dealing with every day. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of a few ways you can make the mental strain of living through the Coronavirus pandemic a bit less burdensome. And remember that if you feel like your problems are too big to solve, a friendly shoulder is always nearby to lean on. 

1.     Take Care of Your Appearance

Have you ever heard the adage that even when your grief or depression is at its worst, you should still get up and make your bed every morning? The idea is that you need to have a centering routine that can help stimulate a sense of normalcy, and the same can be said when it comes to maintaining appearances. While it’s easier to let your beard grow out or spend all day in sweatpants when you’re cooped up inside all day, making an effort to take some pride in how you look can make a significant difference in your outlook. If you’re exercising and taking care of your skin like you used to, you’ll look and feel a little more like you used to as well. 

2.     Get Plenty of Rest

It can be incredibly challenging to get a good night’s sleep with so many troubles coursing through the world today. However, science has made it clear that getting the right amount of sleep is crucial for maintaining good mental health: too little sleep can make you anxious and frazzled, while too much can make you sluggish and encourage depression. You can make sure you’re doing your best to maintain a healthy sleep schedule by exercising throughout the day, taking light doses of medication as prescribed, and making sure you have the right sheets and mattress for your skin and body type. Even if it seems like there’s more involved in getting a good night’s sleep than you might have thought, we promise you the results for your body and mind will be worth it!

3.     You Are What You Eat

It’s very tempting to binge on snacks and comfort food when you’re trapped inside all day and need a tasty pick-me-up, but the long-term benefits will be better if you strive to make healthier choices. Some studies have even shown that a change in diet can have a more significant impact on elevating symptoms of depression than other traditional self-improvement activities. And as a bonus, stocking up on healthy foods will boost your immune system and keep you safer from the Coronavirus to boot. Hitting the produce aisle instead of the snack lane next time you have to go to the grocery store might be one of the best choices you make during the pandemic. 

4.     Keep it Social

Even though it’s more difficult to see friends and family in person than it ever has been before, that doesn’t mean you have to become a total hermit; in fact, that’s something you should avoid! Even during the best of times, socialization has been proven to do a world of good for the human body, like promote good physical health, safeguard mental health, and even protect against cognitive decline as you get older. And considering that the stakes are higher than ever now, there’s no reason to put off that phone call to your parents or that Zoom hangout with your coworkers. We could all use a friend right now, and you know what they say about a friend in need. 

5.     Know the Warning Signs

We’ve talked about what you should do if you find yourself experiencing mental health struggles during Covid-19, but it might be beneficial to learn some of the symptoms as well so you can know what to look out for. The CDC lists a number of warnings that pandemic stress might be affecting you, such as changes in sleep or eating patterns, worsening of chronic health conditions, and increased reliance on alcohol or other substances as mood stabilizers. It isn’t a big leap to say that if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, your mental health may end up being at risk as well. Slowing down to take a mental inventory and check-in with yourself can be an excellent way to head off a number of potential mental health issues before they have a chance to take root. 

6.     Tune Out from the News

It’s one thing to keep yourself informed and educated during the pandemic and quite another thing to spend all day mired in the terrible news that seems to be coming from all corners of the world these days. With social media and 24-hour cable news as a constant presence in our lives, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with negative information, and data tells us that constantly being plugged in can have adverse effects on your overall outlook. Of course, it’s good to know how to handle Covid-19 and to be aware of the world around you, but being conscious of every dreadful thing that’s happening on Earth isn’t going to do you—or anyone else—very much good. There’s no shame in logging off from Facebook or unplugging the TV for a bit so that you can decompress. 

7.     Look to the Future

For many people, 2020 feels paradoxically like an endless slog and also as though it’s vanishing in the blink of an eye. When we reach our lowest state during this crisis, it’s imperative to keep in mind that no matter how dire this situation is and how much it’s affecting us, it will be over someday. Remember that you have many options for retaining your mental health during Covid-19, and when it’s all over, you’ll be able to return to the places and people you love knowing you’ve built up a massive reserve of courage and discipline. No matter how dark it might get, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. 

What did you think of our list of ways to stay mentally healthy during the pandemic? Are there any tips and tricks that you’ve found to work exceptionally well for you or your loved ones? Leave us a comment and tell us all about it!