How to Keep Your Mental Health

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How to Keep Your Mental Health

Seeing a specialist regarding your mental health is still considered a kind of stigma. If you told your friends that you are seeing a psychologist, you are in a way admitting that “something is wrong with you.”  The younger generationsin the post-communist countries are more receptive and open to the idea of getting help when their soul knows there is a problem.

Some of our insurance plans cover for mental health support when needed Today, though, you may want to take our “Here and Now” tipsfor those things you can start doing IMMEDIATELY to help with your mental health and reduce levels of anxiety at a difficult time for everyone

  • Routine:  keep your regular way of like (as much as possible). Try to do what previously worked for you. Work on your desk, if you can, or “work in searching for work” if you do not have a daily work agenda to follow. Get up on time, exercise, dress nice, and walk to work toyour other room as if you are travelling to your office in the other side of town.
  • Eat regular healthy meals: Eating well will help maintain your physical and mental well-being. Make meals from fresh ingredients that you can buy locally.
  • Exercise: Develop a fitness routine, a walk with the dog, skipping for 20 minutes, run around the block if you are allowed outside to exercise, use your imagination to create exercise equipment from household items you have at home. All this will serve as a distraction and help to boost your level of endorphins (those things that make you feel good). This will keep your metabolism intact and give your body the daily boost in needs.
  • Challenge your brain: Read, write, listen to music, do puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, learn a new language, the list is endless.
  • Reach-out to the others: Use video to stay connected with friends and family as well as work colleagues. In times like these, just saying “Hello” will mean a lot.
  • Take a break from the media: Switch off the media for a few hours so you are not constantly bombarded with terrible stories, haunting imagery and incessant memes that unsettle you with the whole COVID-19 situation. “Give it a break” as it will not go away anytime soon.
  • Be selective: Select a small number of trustworthy media sources so you do not mix news with opinions. Be careful what you share on social media; be aware that you could be contributing to others’ anxiety.
  • Explore: While practicing social distancing (staying 2 metres apart at a minimum) take note that society is still there! There are still other people walking. You can maintain a safe distance from them while still offering a smile and a wave.
  • You must create some joyful moments: Play games, join online communities, have competitions with your children, watch comedies – do something that you really like!!!
  • Do something new: Learn a new language or skill, enrol in an online course.
  • Time to improve your home: Do those tasks you have been putting off forever, including household repairs and gardening.
  • Be kind:  Check up on vulnerable neighbours and offer assistance if you’re able. Help with shopping for food and medications (drop things off at their door and remember to always stay at least two metres from them) or offer just a little bit of conversation (maintaining social distancing of course).
  • Give each other some space: If you are in a family, give each other breathing room! Let individuals be alone when they need privacy!
  • Try and find some meaning:  Though it may seem impossible at times, try and learn from this experience. Focus on what matters the most to you and take some time to really bond with those you care about.

This article was inspired by Healix.