Mental Wellness during a Pandemic

Times are strange... for all of us. Some long-standing/ neglected issues are seeing some light. Not enough, but some. In addition to the discussion around equal rights for all, we are still in the very early days of a worldwide pandemic. 

COVID-19 continues to re-shape the way we live our lives leaving its impact on every area of the human experience. 

We are all going a little crazy while we grieve the loss of the lives we used to live, spending much of our time away from loved ones, forced to reinvent ourselves. Here at RE-UP, the mental/physical wellness of our community is a top priority. We are committed to being a part of each other’s journey as we work towards a new way of living. 

As you read on, please note that this article is simply offering suggestions to those looking to explore their own mental health routine. These suggestions are not intended to diagnose or treat severe cases and should not replace the opinions/recommendations of a licensed healthcare practitioner. 

If your situation escalates, please now there are several resources at your disposal:

Crisis Services Canada Phone Number: 1-833-456-4566 (or Text HOME to 686868)

Government of Canada Mental Health Support 

LET'S DO THIS!

Try these tips out to level up your mental health routine while isolating/physical distancing. 

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY

Make sure you’re polishing your car before taking it out for a ride.

Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Be sure to:

• Eat nutritiously -studies have shown that the risk of depression is 25-35% lower in people who eat a nutritious diet.

Exercise -  can help decrease anxiety and depression by releasing feel-good endorphins.

Rest - research shows that not getting enough sleep can cause depression or make it worse. 

 

Find balance with vices -  most of us are now faced with lots of extra time. Smoke a few more cigarettes, drink another glass of wine, etc. While enjoying ourselves is important, taking care of our body/mind should be our #1 priority!

                                                                       

VALUE YOURSELF

Now comes the test. We are all spending a lot more time on our own.

Treat yourself with kindness, and avoid self-criticism.

• Invest in yourself by learning a new skill, or polishing up on skills you already have -learn a dance, instrument, or a new language.

Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects -broaden your horizons!

             

                 

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE 

People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than people who don't have a support network. 

But I’m in isolation! Yes, this one is tricky. Here’s what you can do:

• Make plans with friends or family to connect once a day or every few days if possible -but how do I do that? I’M IN ISOLATION! You can use things like Facetime, Skype, Facebook chat, or even a good old phone call.

 

• Seek out virtual activities with friends, family, or even strangers-watch a movie with a friend or family member while staying connected with Facetime or other video chat options, use theHouseparty (can be found in the app store for free) group video chat service where you can meet with friends and play games likeCards Against Humanity.

QUIET YOUR MIND

 

Having a way to quiet our monkey mind and deal with stress is so important!

Try meditating, mindfulness- relaxation exercises and prayer can improve your state of mind/outlook on life. Meditation has been proven to keep you calm 

and help quiet that noisy mind we all deal with.  

Now don’t make the mistake of biting off more than you can chew. Practices likemindfulness should be treated like a muscle - if you’ve never been to the gym, you’re not about to start chucking around the 100lb dumbbells. Start with smaller meditations - 10-15 minutes is the sweet spot for beginners. 

Check out Sam Harris’ app - “Waking up With Sam Harris”. This is an amazing tool for beginner, intermediate, and meditators. CLICK that link below and get mindful people!

https://wakingup.com/ 

      

LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH STRESS 

You can’t ignore this one! With most of us spending more time at home than ever, it’s so important to have a routine you can rely on to combat stress.

Get moving, and when you can, spend some time in nature - we’ve already covered how important it is to take care of your body in order to maintain your mental health. So, do some Tai Chi, HIIT training (High-intensity interval training), take a nature walk, or play with your pet to take your mind off things.

 

• Start a routine, stick to it, be consistent-when we have a routine for dealing with stress, it is so much easier to kick it’s ass once it shows up. Stress fighting tools like mediation, physical exercise, connecting with friends and family, and investing in a new skill all require consistency. Explore putting together a routine that helps you fight stress- rinse and repeat!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE STRESS FIGHTING AND MENTAL HEALTH TIPS!

https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/improving-mental-health/