During unfamiliar times, it is especially important to take care of your mental health. Here are some ideas for ways you can maintain your mental wellness.
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Take a break from the news. Constantly watching, listening to or reading news stories and social media may exacerbate you or your family members’ stress and anxiety. Be sure to disconnect from time to time.
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Sing Your Heart Out! It strengthens your immune system, is a natural antidepressant, lowers stress, and is an added form of entertainment for the whole household. For young people who have had theater events cancelled, consider posting your best performance yet using #SunshineSongs.
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Check in with your children. Children need reassurance from grown-ups during periods of high stress and anxiety. For tips about how to talk with your kids about COVID-19, check out this information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html
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Don’t minimize the power of routines. As we adapt to new ways of living during the temporary quarantine, assess, adapt and/or test a routine that fosters strong mental wellness: https://thelatch.com.au/routine-good-for-mental-health/
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Have you laughed today? Whether it’s a funny joke or image, according to the Mayo Clinic, laughing stimulates organs, activates and relieves the stress response, and reduces tension. Tell us what made you laugh today! https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
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Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Begin identifying and sharing (with your family, friends, or via social media) things for which you are grateful daily. People are craving positivity right now, and you can be a source!
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Moments of gratitude. To build in time daily for positive recognition, decorate a jar or box and invite all members of the household to write down moments they are grateful for throughout the day. At scheduled or random intervals, choose one or more to read out loud. What are you grateful for today?
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Fight stress. The American Heart Association recommends these 10 healthy behaviors that you can adopt to combat stress: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/fight-stress-with-healthy-habits-infographic
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Maintain community. People who live alone may be struggling due to self-quarantines. Make an extra effort to reach out via phone or video calls to let someone know you’re there for them, even if you can’t be together. Use Google Hangouts to “grab coffee” with friends or download Netflix Party (a Chrome extension) to watch a movie with someone!
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Send seniors love. Our senior friends may be feeling especially vulnerable right now. Reach out to them and ask them how they’re doing!
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Support small businesses. You may be worrying about the small businesses in your community right now. Help them by purchasing gift certificates over the phone or internet to be used later.
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Practice Both/And Statements. Our YMCA is *both* grateful for the outpouring of support and generosity of the community and missing all the moments for connectivity. What are your Both/And statements for the coronavirus? https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/03/a-therapists-guide-to-emotional-health-in-a-pandemic/608161/