Staying mentally well
Staying mentally well during COVID-19
We know that you are most likely being bombarded with messages about COVID-19, whether that be on television, social media, and in your community networks. At times like this, anxiety, worry, stress, fear and negative thoughts can easily take control.
We want to underscore the importance of your mental wellness during this time. Here are some tips for your emotional health as well as your physical health.
Take care of you
- Commit to meditating for 10 minutes each day.
- Go for a walk.
- Keep a food journal. Then review your journal to identify the good and bad food you are putting in your body. Plan ways to eat healthier.
- Get 8 hours of sleep.
Check in with others
- While maintaining social distance, use technology to stay connected with people in your life.
- Call a loved one, family member or friend to check in on them and let them know you care about them and their emotional well-being.
- Write a letter to a loved one letting them know how much they mean to you and how much you care about them.
- Take time to connect with an old friend via phone or email.
Engage and connect wisely
- Facetime your loved ones and “join” them for an ice cream dessert.
- Review your social media and screen time habits. Follow positive people and messages. Clean up your friends list.
- Revisit happy memories and create an online photo album to share with friends and loved ones.
- Learn a new hobby. Visit YouTube to learn how to watercolor or make a delicious dessert.
- Pull out board games, puzzles, and cards for an “old-fashioned” night of entertainment.
Relax
- Plan a “night in” dance party for your family. Have fun with the theme, music, decorations and food.
- Plant in your garden.
- Open that book you have been wanting to read and escape into its pages for 30 minutes per day.
- Fill the bathtub, add bubbles and light some candles.
- Binge watch a series on Netflix.
- If you find it relaxing, tackle that junk drawer, closet or pantry.