The COVID-19 virus can be unpredictable, and you can never tell who might have it. Even the healthiest and most careful person might accidentally catch it from someone else. When that happens, we are faced with extreme amounts of stress and anxiety due to worrying about their health.
In times like these, we hear many stories about the deaths and risks of the virus, but it’s important to remember the facts. Out of the 43.9 million people infected today, over 29 million of them have already recovered. The rate of recovery is quite high if we’re being honest, so you can be hopeful.
However, we understand that it might still take a toll on your mental health. If you want to keep your mind and body healthy, follow these easy tips to improve your mental wellness.
Limit the amount of news you see
While it is important to stay informed, listening to the news can negatively impact your health. It’s easy to get lost in all those articles and features of death and sickness. If you don’t monitor your consumption, you can spiral into depression or anxiety because of overexposure.
Health experts suggest limiting your news time to a maximum of twice a day, and it has to be for a limited time only. It won’t work if you’re spending hours browsing the news of recent cases. With this, you can avoid stressing yourself out. Many people tend to associate the bad scenarios they see online with themselves, and that is the last thing that you want to do if you are worrying about infected family and friends.
Acknowledge your feelings but also stay calm
Remember that the person infected is as, if not more, scared than you are. You must remain a cool and collected head when approaching them to avoid freaking both of yourselves out. How you react can influence the people around you, which in turn also influences you. Psychology professors say that stress makes you more reactive and ruins relationships over time.
While it is important to realize the effect the situation has on you, it should not take over your emotions. Too much panic can cause overthinking and sabotage your mental health. Keeping calm will help ease your emotions and help you think more positively and rationally. If you’re having a hard time doing this, try relaxing and meditative activities such as yoga or reading.
Keep yourself busy
For those who have been previously diagnosed with mental illnesses, you might experience defeat and a lack of motivation to do anything. Do not give in to these tendencies. Doing other activities unrelated to taking care of a sibling can keep you distracted and reduce stress.
At the very least, you have to do the basic necessities such as eating, bathing, working, or studying. Try to stick as closely to your routine as you can to avoid self-induced stress and anxiety.
Talk to your loved ones
Communication is key in these types of situations. The other person needs just as much support as you do. Some people experience guilt because they feel responsible for their family member being in this position. Talking to the person infected through online platforms will help take the burden off your soldiers.
At the same time, you also feel comforted knowing the current state of the person. Some people don’t experience the virus as badly as others. Talking to them can make you realize that their situation is not as bad as it seems in your head.
Seek help from professionals
One of the best things you can do is seek counseling. It is always advisable to consult with a mental health expert if you feel overwhelmed with the things around you. They will give you advice on how to cope with the situation and keep you optimistic.
While there are many free resources online, these can’t compare to actually sitting with a certified medical professional. You do this both for yourself or for your families. This would help you avoid getting destructive behavior that can ruin your relationship and your mental health.
Poor mental health can also harm your physical health. You cannot separate one from the other. Times are difficult, and now, it is important to look after ourselves with self-care practices. Being infected by the virus doesn’t mean the end of the world, and you have to remember that there have been more recoveries than deaths worldwide.
