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Maintaining Your Mental Health Throughout the COVID Crisis

COVID, Mental Health

couple being playful on a video call during COVID
The Coronavirus is a scary pandemic that is affecting us all. We’ve been told to prepare for our nutritional and physical needs, but what about our mental health needs?

A.J. Garcia, MA, LMFT, QCS

Being physically and socially restricted for weeks, maybe months, will take a toll on our mental and emotional wellbeing. So, instead of allowing yourself to be overcome by the uncertainty, I encourage you to be intentional about self care. It’s important to invest your newfound free time into your mental and emotional health.

Here are some tips for staying healthy:

Social distancing doesn’t equal social isolation

Keep in contact with family members and friends through video and phone calls. This is an essential way to ensure your important relationships stay strong and you don’t fall into a depressive state due to a lack of social contact.

Stay active

If you don’t feel comfortable running or walking outside, create a home workout routine. Challenge your cardio by doing jumping jacks or jumping rope. Work your muscles and core by doing push-ups, sit-ups, planks, lunges, yoga, and squats. Becoming physically inactive will result in a decrease in motivation, confidence, and happiness.

Eat well

Pay attention the food you eat while cooped up at home. Make and enjoy healthy food in appropriate portions. It’s easy to grab junk food and snack away while bored, but choosing healthy options will make you feel better, perform better, and manage your stress better.

Challenge your mind

Start a new book, learn a new language, play mind-sharpening games, do a puzzle, expand your knowledge base. Working your mind regularly, especially during this stagnant phase, will not only help you feel good but it will also strengthen your mental and emotional stability.

Organize your space

Clean your home, purge your closet and prepare your quality clothes for donation, reorganize drawers. This is a great time to clean and organize everything you’ve been putting off. You’ll feel good spending your time in a clean home you’re comfortable in.

Complete projects

Have things around your home that you’ve been meaning to do? Now is a great time to get those tasks done.