In the early stages of the COVID19 pandemic, many of us thought that quarantine and mask-wearing would be temporary events that we would all look back on and laugh at how bizarre they were. After about a year and 400,000 COVID19 deaths in the U.S. alone, we are still experiencing this pandemic, with case numbers rising every day.
During these months there have been many changes in our everyday lives from quarantines, pandemic fatigue/stress (which is especially high in young people), elevated anxiety, or perhaps a loss of a friend or loved one. With so many drastic differences in our lives, it’s not an uncommon thing for our mental health to change and go through different cycles as well.
For some, perhaps quarantine for the pandemic gave themselves alone time to cope with what they feel and get more in touch with themselves. On the flip side, quarantine and social isolation have done an awful lot of damage for others. A sad truth right now is that nearly ⅓ of Americans have displayed signs of clinical depression, anxiety, or even both since the beginning of the pandemic. Many professionals have even gone on to say that we are simultaneously experiencing 2 pandemics, one dealing with COVID19 and another with mental health. The mental health pandemic is a silent, but surely deadly one. In fact, the silence is almost deafening as only 50% of surveyed employees noted that they felt comfortable discussing their mental health with peers & coworkers. The stigma around talking about mental health is one barrier that keeps this silent pandemic raging.
Although we don’t know how long the COVID19 pandemic will carry on, we know that dealing with mental health right now is of the utmost importance. One of the main ways to combat poor mental health is by taking care of yourself. Self-care can take on many forms, but one recommended form is to take a break from the news and other media. While it’s crucial to be informed about the pandemic and the world around us, it’s also important to just take a break from overwhelming things sometimes. Speaking of taking a break, making time for yourself to just relax and do the things that you enjoy is important as well. You can do this through exercise/stretching, eating well-balanced meals, having a daily routine that you stick to, listening to music, practicing prayer/meditation, and daily affirmations.
If you’ve ever spent time in the art room here at Greenwood, you've probably heard these wise words from Mrs. Deimler: “Positive self-talk is very important.” Many people don’t take positive self-talk and affirmations seriously, but research shows that optimism can help increase lifespan, lower rates of depression and distress, and among other things, can cause greater resistance to the common cold.
It should also be noted that sometimes helping others can be a great mood booster. Not only do you get a rush of positive endorphins in your brain as a result of helping someone, but you’re also making a meaningful impact on someone else. During this pandemic, it hasn’t been uncommon for people to feel alone, so being there for someone can really make all the difference. You might not always understand what someone is feeling, but sometimes just being someone’s company can help them.
Even with so many distractions in the world we live in today, it’s so very important to maintain a positive state of mind. If you or someone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone. We may be 6 feet apart right now, but none of us are ever truly alone during these trying times.
Learn more about mental health: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
How to reach out:
Works Cited:
August 1, 2019. “Menu.” Behavioral Health Systems, Inc., www.behavioralhealthsystems.com/connection-helping-others-health/#:~:text=Putting%20other%20people's%20needs%20before,about%20by%20positive%20physiological%20changes.
Badre, David. “How We Can Deal with 'Pandemic Fatigue'.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2021, www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-we-can-deal-with-pandemic-fatigue/.
“Is the Country Experiencing a Mental Health Pandemic?” Psychiatric Times, www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/are-we-really-witnessing-mental-health-pandemic.
“Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html.