Understanding Mental Health During COVID-19

There is no doubt that COVID-19 will change our world permanently, and now more than ever is the perfect time to take control of your mental health.

Our mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices for ourselves and love ones, and gaining control of our mental health is essential at every stage of life, from childhood, adolescence, all the way through adulthood.

Throughout this pandemic, you may experience mental health difficulties, which can affect you’re thinking, mood, and behavior. Mental health problems are common, and help is always available. Those experiencing mental health problems can get better, and many recover completely.

It is essential to know what the early warning signs are in case you or someone you love need to seek help. Not sure if you or someone you know are experiencing mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem, and help is only a phone call away:

 

Early Warning Signs

  • Eating or sleeping too much or too little
  • Pulling away from people and usual activities
  • Having low or no energy
  • Feeling numb or like nothing matters
  • Having unexplained aches and pains
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless
  • Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than usual
  • Feeling confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried, or scared
  • Yelling or fighting with family and friends
  • Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
  • Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
  • Thinking of harming yourself or others
  • Inability to perform daily tasks

 

Here are some great tools to help reduce mental, emotional, and physical stress during this time:

  • Deep Breathing
  • Journaling
  • Stretching/Yoga
  • Hobby
  • Meditation
  • Set limits – news, social media, reading, screen time

 

Remember, the best way to deal with our new normal, is better self-care!