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It is natural to feel stressed and our emotions rise during these unprecedented times. For those with a mental illness, this time may be even more difficult to navigate. Being kind to yourself can be emotionally draining. However, remember how important it is to stay healthy, it is also important to be mentally well.
With this in mind, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a new guide related to the fight against stress during these unprecedented times.
Covering many basic realities, the guide echoes the same thoughts and offers practical ideas on how to take care of yourself in a simple way.
Speaking to an agency, a WHO spokesperson said:
“Although it was not specifically developed to help people manage stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that it will help people who are currently feeling stressed as a result of the pandemic.”
With the increase in cases and death rates, experts point to an alarming problem that we still have to face: a torrent of pain and sadness. In closing, people increasingly face eating and stress disorders, alcohol addiction, or body image problems for fear of social isolation.
The mental health guide, which is available online, will soon be translated into other languages. It also focuses on another important aspect: practicing self-care.
Some of the features in the illustrations explain some of the common reactions that stress can provoke in people: withdrawal, emotion, or feeling of loss or deprivation.
What can you do to take care of yourself?
No one saw the crisis coming. Pandemic or not, self-care is vital to good health. If everything is getting too difficult to handle, here are some of the things you can consider doing during these terrible times:
-Find a way to stay connected with your people virtually.
-Keep a thank you journal. Write what you feel.
-Remain physically active. Engaging in even the simplest exercises can make you fight stress and anxiety.
-If you are working from home, try and de-stress, at the end of the day, take your time away from the screen.
-Spend time with your family. It can be a good bonding exercise.
-The news you see may make you anxious. Consider taking a break and watching something exhilarating.
-If you have a mental illness or are caring for someone with an illness, remember to be kind. These are tough times, but an even tougher ordeal for the mentally ill.
-There are many support groups, online therapy options you could consider.
-Cook, dance, pray, order or read, do anything that relaxes you.
-Practice positive affirmations
-Finally, remember to take it at your own pace. Do things that make you happy and don’t do something to seek validation from social media.
