Mid-March of 2019, most of the United States went on lockdown. This is the first time in most people’s lives that they were forced to stay home because of a highly contagious disease that is deadly. At first it was kind of fun, then after weeks it became boring, and after a few months it may have caused some people to experience signs of anxiety. It is not uncommon for a life-altering event such as a pandemic to interfere with people’s mental health.
People are experiencing stressor related to:
- Wear a Mask/Don’t Wear a Mask
- Disinfect Your Groceries/Don’t Disinfect Your Groceries
- Spray Your Packages/ Don’t Spray Your Packages
- People transmit the disease to each other
- The disease is airborne
- Leave Home / Stay Home
COVID-19 is a disease that does not have clear symptoms. People are at home taking their temperatures, confirming they can taste and smell and Googling symptoms in fear of possibly having COVID-19.
Between the CDC, the President, Dr. Fauci, the Governors and the Mayors all being on different pages, the American public is confused. And once you add in the rumors and conspiracy theories, it’s even more challenging to sort out one’s feelings. Some people have even gone as far to say they are afraid of being injected with COVID-19 at the testing sites instead of actually being tested. When people feel helpless about their own health and well-being, they can become stressed.
Here are some helpful tips in maintaining your Mental Health:
- Eat a balanced healthy low-fat diet
- Limited time to watch the news or read about COVID
- Turn off alarms and notifications on your phone
- Engage in at least one safe outdoor activity (walking, jogging, fishing)
- Develop or Rekindle an old Hobby (drawing, painting, cooking, exercise, write letters, etc.)
- Take time each day to relax and take a nap
If your feel depressed or sad, seek help from your Primary Care Physician. If you have thoughts of harming yourself seek help immediately by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room or mental health hospital.