COVID-19 restrictions have made mental health management more difficult. While social distancing is critical for reducing the effects of COVID-19, the isolating nature of the pandemic has become a trigger for mental health issues.
While the pandemic presents challenges with mental wellbeing, there’s plenty that you can do to make sure you’re feeling happy and fulfilled in your daily life. Let’s dive into some strategies you can quickly implement to manage your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stay Connected
Isolation is one of the main catalysts for mental health issues like depression. While going out to socialize at places like your favorite restaurants and entertainment venues has been put on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are several ways that you can remain connected.
It may take some extra effort to stay connected during times of social distancing, but the effort you put in will generate positive results. We recommend that you incorporate socialization into your daily or weekly to-do lists, so you’re making connection a priority.
Incorporating COVID-safe socialization into your routine can be as simple as setting up regular phone or video calls with someone you’re close with. If you’re looking to expand your social outreach, try connecting with someone that you haven’t spoken with in a long time.
Try Meditation
Meditation has been becoming increasingly popular in recent years. Cultural figures like David Lynch run mediation organizations like the David Lynch Foundation to help expand people’s consciousness through practices like Transcendental Meditation, while smart device apps like HeadSpace make guided meditation extremely accessible.
People place value on meditation for the clarity and peace of mind that it can bring during and after a meditative session. If you find that meditation works for you, incorporating a meditative practice into your daily life can serve as an excellent form of structure.
Practice Self-Care
We hear the phrase “self-care” a lot, but we might not always know ways to put this phrase into action. Self-care is all about incorporating practices that reduce negative emotions like anxiety and stress so you can keep your mental health in check.
When considering different self-care routines to practice, it’s helpful to think about things that bring you joy. If you have a specific hobby that you enjoy, make practicing that hobby a daily or at least a weekly priority. Job stress might prompt you to establish a cut-off time to stop working and unplug to focus on yourself. Self-care practices come in various forms, but they all give you something to look forward to and allow you the opportunity to recharge your batteries.
Get Proper Sleep
Insufficient sleep is a primary catalyst for mental health challenges. Sleep deprivation can cause higher levels of stress, lower focus levels, depressive symptoms, and more.
When working to make achieving proper sleep a priority, it’s helpful to:
● Establish a sleep schedule.
● Avoid bright media screens before sleep.
● Avoid alcohol and eating right before bed.
● Establish a calm environment with candles, reading, etc.
● Seek recommendations from your doctor on how to improve your sleep.
DCP Entertainment understands how easy it is to experience mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re striving to make a positive impact by offering self-improvement podcasts like Inner Space that unpack mental health management topics during COVID-19. Check out Inner Space today, so you prioritize wellness and self-improvement during these challenging times.