Wherever we currently lie on the mental wellness scale, its undeniable that we have all been affected by the current Coronavirus pandemic. Each and every one of us will be having our own unique experience and will be facing our own variation of feelings and thoughts. We will also all be experiencing some common and relatable concerns.
Relationships will be tested as we all face intense amounts of time within our family homes. We will face stressful situations during a time of great change. Work pressures may be increased or the worry of financial strain may be very real and imminent. Fear for our own health and our loved ones. Fear for the future of our communities, the economy and the world.
Whatever you are going through right now, you are not alone. Take some time to check in with yourself and what you need. You may be feeling overwhelmed, confused with the mixture emotions and worries you are currently juggling. Take a look at the tips below and start to slowly make steps back to wellness -
Work out what is in your power to influence or change and make some plans around these to help you feel more empowered.
Filter out the fact from the fiction. Take a break from the news and social media, remembering both of which aim to increase our fear to keep us interested.
Physical daily self-care: Create simple manageable goals rather than giant resolutions. Eat mostly healthy, drink water, move often, keep drinking/smoking and other unhealthy habits limited, sleep 7-9 hours.
Make time for activities that bring you joy, peace and calm, these are different for everyone so think about what fits your needs.
Distract your mind. If you feel your thoughts becoming repetitive and overbearing, try adding something new, a TV series, book or new addition to your routine that can give you respite.
Try not to get wrapped up in eradicating others worries and stress, be a listening ear rather than feeling the need to solve. Saying 'I hear your pain', is all you need to do do be that all important empathic other.
In times of crisis we can go into Rescuer mode to satisfy our own feelings of powerlessness, often adding to the problem. Give in a healthy way by offering help and only giving where (and how) the help is wanted, rather than in the way you think it's needed.
Be kind to yourself, remove the pressure to 'do' and know that to 'be' is more than enough right now. Keep the to do list light and manageable.
Talk to others. Talking filters our thoughts through a different part of the brain and allows us to reality check and file our thoughts by bouncing off another person. To be heard is to be accepted.
Speak to your trusted friends and family members, keep in touch remotely via video chat.
If you need a more in depth view or a confidential and impartial space to explore you thoughts and feeling, speak to a professional talk therapist (counsellor, psychotherapist).
Also if you are not feeling yourself and have deeper concerns, speak to a mental health professional or your GP today.
If you are ever feeling at imminent risk to yourself or others, call 111 for immediate support.