Back in March of 2020, many people thought that the pandemic was going to be a short-lived issue and that we’d all be back to our normal daily routines within a couple of weeks. Fast-forward to August of 2021, and it’s clear that a lot of changes are here to stay.
The delta variant, along with constantly changing guidelines and restrictions, has brought coronavirus back to daily mainstream headlines. If you’re feeling a little burnt out on hearing about COVID-19 or are still feeling the ramifications of social distancing, you’re not alone.
Caring for your mental health during a pandemic is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle and can make it easier to cope with shared trauma like covid-19 or social injustice.
How the Pandemic Creates Added Stress
In “normal” times, everyone experiences stress. Some stress is good and helps us grow, while other stress can be detrimental to our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. When these daily stressors are compounded by a global pandemic, it can cause the body to go into constant fight or flight mode.
This evolutionary trait was incredibly useful for our ancestors and can even be useful today when there’s an immediate danger in front of us. However, we can’t outrun a global pandemic and there’s no physical way to fight it off. The best way to deal with the stress from the pandemic is to practice good self-care and learn healthy coping mechanisms.
Healthy Coping Mechanisms and Self-Care Tips
We’ve recently covered some ways to deal with depression and anxiety. Those tips also can carry over well to handling pandemic stress, so be sure to check out those articles as well!
- Turn off the news. It’s important to know what’s going on and stay on top of any changes in your immediate area, but once you get any pertinent information, turn off your TV or shut down that news site. Tuning in to the 24-hour news cycle will likely just lead to more stress and anxiety.
- Get outdoors. Find a local trail or park that isn’t too crowded and soak up some vitamin D. While it may seem trivial, getting fresh air and spending time outdoors can lift your spirits. Try walking with a friend (while keeping your distance) to engage in face time as well.
- Lose yourself in something you love. When the pandemic first became international news, it felt like nearly everyone worked on perfecting their banana bread and sourdough recipes. Spending time reading, writing, watching a good TV show, or cultivating a long-forgotten hobby can be a great form of self-care and allow you to let your mind wander to something else for a while.
- Communicate your boundaries. One large source of stress for people right now is telling others what they are and are not comfortable with as far as masking, vaccination, and gatherings go. Being upfront about your comfort zone and respecting your own boundaries is critical for taking care of yourself and feeling okay.
When to Reach Out for Help
Continuing to care for your mental health during a time of stress or trauma can be difficult, but doing so is important for your overall wellbeing. If you’re starting to feel like the isolation is becoming overwhelming, if you are unable to focus or participate in your daily life activities due to worry or sadness, or you notice that you’re not yourself and your coping tools aren’t working, it’s important to reach out for help.
GBCC has over 60 clinicians on staff with extensive training and experience. We have protocols in place to offer services in a safe environment, including telehealth from your private space, and flexible appointment options to fit your schedule. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 410.760.9079 or contact us online.