|
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
In our “normal” life, before the pandemic, we had stress. We all had things going on and coping mechanisim that may or may not have been working. However, since mid-March, new fears, stressors, and restrictions have dramatically increased in our lives. Thinking about mental health in the midst of a pandemic is critical because while “we are all in this together,” we are all enduring our own challenges that have a vast range and magnitude. Talking about mental health is not always comfortable or easy, but it is important because this “new normal” is not so normal and it is not going away.
The good news is that there are things you can do to help. First and foremost, check in with yourself daily. Perform a mental scan of your emotions. Notice changes in your behavior (sleeping, eating, energy levels, etc) Next, create a list of what you can control and what is out of your control. Focus on what is in your control. Intentionally structure your day to increase activity and decrease exposure to the news and social media. Put positive supports in place like exercise, helping others and practicing gratitude and self compassion. Know it is ok to have “YUCK” days, but if there are more yuck days than ok days, take charge and do something different. If you are struggling and can not get past that feeling, get help.
|
