Depressed, stressed and a little bit of a mess
Managing COVID-19 Stress:
This past week was Mental Health Awareness Week which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. This years theme was all about kindness. Being kind to yourself and those around you is so important for your well-being during this time.
I wanted to discuss how to manage the stress you may be feeling during this pandemic. Yes, kindness is extremely important but this should be part of out everyday nature. In a time like this, I think it is important to discuss how you are feeling. Whether it be happiness or sadness, BOTH are important.
It has been two months since lockdown began and our lives have changed drastically. We have been overwhelmed with dramatic changes to our lifestyles, the way people work and how we communicate. I am by no means an expert in this sector, but I thought I would share some tips and activities I have been doing to cope with any stress I have been feeling.
“Depressed, stressed and a little bit of a mess” – I thought this may sum up how the majority of us are feeling right now so here are some of my tips!
Take a break from the news:
I know it is very easy to get stuck into the news, praying for a glimpse of hope. However, the information overload can be very upsetting and worrying at times. Instead, switch off your phone for a while, mute the news and take a break. You will be aware if a drastic change were to happen. If this is difficult, take some time to read some good news. We so easily forget the good things that are also happening right now.
One of my favourites is from Cosmopolitan UK who do a weekly “Good News Gathered” with a round-up of heart-warming news surrounding the virus.
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a31928442/good-news-today/
Take care of your body:
Your body is your sanctuary so take care of it! Take advantage of your unlimited walks a day and give yourself some fresh air. If I go for a walk (I’m quite lazy!) I treat it as a means of escapism and reflection.
However, one main way I’ve changed is my mindset. For me, a way of taking care of my body is trying to stop comparing myself to others. I didn’t care as much about this before lockdown began, however seeing people constantly working out, dieting and having a healthier lifestyle can take a toll on your mental health. This goes back to being kind to yourself.
I have always known that social media is toxic but I have noticed it more during this time. At the start of lockdown my screen-time increased by a ridiculous amount and recently I decided to limit my time on social media. Although it is very easy to obsess over the things you want to change about yourself, think about what you love instead and don’t let your negative thoughts consume you.
Have “me” time:
Take some time everyday to do something you love. Whether it be drawing, reading or watching Netflix; give some time for yourself. This will improve your mental health, improve your mindset and will help you to focus on yourself. You may feel as if you are being selfish but it is completely okay to look after yourself and having time away from others.
Here are a few things you can do:
- Read! – I’m certain you have a list of books you’ve always wanted to read but have never had the chance to. Now is the perfect time (and it will get you off of your phone!)
- Binge! – Watch your favourite movies, binge a new series and invest in Disney +.
- Learn something new – Take an online course, learn a new skill, learn how to cook; now is the time to do anything you wouldn’t have time for before!
Music – I’ve found myself listening to music more than ever, especially before bed which really helps to calm any anxiety. - Get crafty! – I’ve found myself going through memories and making scrapbooks, making handmade gifts for friends and hopefully some sewing too.
Connect with others:
It is so important to reach out if you aren’t feeling like yourself. Talk to people you can trust about how you are feeling . Although technology can fail on us at times, we are extremely lucky to be able to connect with our loved ones.
It has come to a point where you may feel the “Zoom” calls and quizzes are tedious and repetitive but in the end you’ll be thankful for a little catchup with your friends and family. These calls are vital for your mental health. My favourite calls are the random ones or the calls where you just have your friends in the background whilst you get on with your tasks. These really can make you feel better if you are having a down day.
Keep an eye out on those closest to you:
Although you should prioritise your mental health, look out for those closest to you. My brother Dilan is a third year university student studying architecture and working at home really has affected his mental health. He isn’t really one to breakdown or suffer from anxiety but doing his assignments at home has been very stressful for him. Dilan emailed his teacher about his worries and his teacher replied telling him to “breathe” (extremely patronising). This really did make me question the quality of online teaching and if universities are considering students mental health more during this time.
So, have regular check-ins with your family members and friends as you may not know what they are going through and how this pandemic is affecting their everyday lifestyle and mental health.
A little reflection:
It has nearly been a month since I posted my first blog and I wanted to say a little thank you for the support! The post got over 1095 reads which is incredible and I’m thankful for everyone who read it. I can say that for me and my family it was nice to get our little story out there and it has helped my mental health.
Since then I have had my ups and downs especially since lockdown rules have been lifted slightly with people being able to meet at a distance knowing I won’t be able to. It is hard to see on social media but I know we’ll get our chance to meet our friends soon!
Mental health organisations:
Check out these pages if you need some more (perhaps professional advice) about the importance of your mental health.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
Overall:
If you are struggling, seek some kind of help, even if it is small. It is so easy to feel alone and although the uncertainty is stressful, remember that there are better days ahead. Prioritise your mental health and do things that make you happy and remember you’ve done very well so far!
