Tag Archives: Mental Health

Feb1

How To Take Care Of Your Mental Health In The New Normal

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How To Take Care Of Your Mental Health In The New Normal

People are social beings. We form partnerships, packs, tribes, and communities. We form societies and nations. We need other people to survive. There is no doubt that we need mutual dependence. However, we had to face a new reality. We had to change our behavior in response to the changes brought about by the pandemic. These changes have brought about negative feelings: feelings of dread, uncertainty about the future, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Most of us are overwhelmed by the new normal and a lot of us already have pandemic fatigue.

Right now, there is a rise in these negative moods: anxiety, anger, and loneliness. It is best to consult a licensed therapist if you are experiencing any of these. But in the meantime, here are some ways to address these negative feelings.

Anxiety 

It is anticipated rumination or worrying about something that might happen in the future. As you can imagine, a lot of us have developed some form of anxiety as a result of the unprecedented turn of events from last year. Let’s face it. People can’t help but worry. What’s worse is that worry is contagious. Don’t we all feel like the world is coming to an end?

In order to manage this, we have to be as prepared as possible. Acknowledge the fact that there are a lot of things that we can’t control. Then act on the things that we can control. For example, you can’t control the virus, but you can prevent yourself and your loved ones from catching it by taking precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing, eating healthy, taking vitamins, etc.

Anger

The situation right now is frustrating. We may feel frustrated and angry that those who know better, can’t do better. Governments and health experts are trying their best, but somehow it is not enough. The virus has brought superpowers and nations down on their knees. While vaccines have already been developed, there is still more work to be done. 

To address this, be mindful of your triggers. If the news triggers you (who isn’t?), then watch less of it. Allow yourself a limited time to seethe and stew (10mins tops) and move forward with your day. Don’t dwindle on bad news. Avoid doom scrolling (the act of consuming a large quantity of negative online news at once). Keep your mind calm by practicing meditative activities (knitting, gardening, baking, cooking, reading, yoga, and meditation of course).

Loneliness

By the nature of the pandemic, isolation is one of the best ways to keep it at bay. We’ve all retreated to our homes and stayed away from public places. We’ve shunned all social activities and gatherings and have started working from home. Our government and self-imposed isolation has led to feelings of loneliness in a lot of people.

To curb loneliness, get in touch and connect with other people. No, don’t break quarantine protocols. You can get creative. Reach out to friends and family and create a daily routine. Play games via video conferencing apps. Games like Pictionary, Bingo, or Charades can be played virtually. Better yet, host a trivia night with prizes! Gift cards for online shopping is a fun prize. Make sure to take advantage of technology. Host a Netflix Party so you can watch a movie with friends. Make it a fun experience. 

Do you have tips on how to take care of your mental health? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp

Jan25

How To Rise Above Negativity in 8 Steps

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How To Rise Above Negativity in 8 Steps

The year 2020 was a doozy. While we were still reeling from old problems like climate change and divisive politics, we were handed a new set of problems starting with bushfires and ending with a global pandemic, the magnitude of which has given the word “unprecedented” a whole new meaning. It’s like living in a video game where every stage is a never-ending boss fight. 

With all the craziness going on in the world, it’s hard to stop ourselves from feeling a barrage of negative emotions. With the pandemic comes bereavement, loss of income, isolation, fear of the unknown, and health concerns. Naturally, these will spawn feelings of dread, anxiety, and depression.

We have the power to rise above these negative feelings. Right now, it is absolutely imperative to have good mental health. It is a duty to take care of our mental health, not only for ourselves but for everyone we care about. That starts with learning how to manage fear and anxiety.

  1. Accept and validate – don’t ignore your feelings. That leads to repression and resentment. Address your fears, accept that they exist within you, and know that these feelings are valid.
  2. Speak up and seek help – talk to a trusted family member or friend. If you keep your negative feelings bottled up inside you, that could bubble up as something nasty, in the future. If you feel that the issue might be too much for your loved ones to handle, talk to a professional.
  3. Focus on what you can control – learn your triggers and don’t be triggered by just about anything. Pick your battles and devote your energy into things that you have power and influence over.
  4. Be open to change – I’ll leave you with a quote. “If nothing ever changed, there would be no such things as butterflies.” – Wendy Mass
  5. Allow your mind to rest – make restful sleep a priority. First, work out how much sleep you need, and reverse engineer from there. Practice good sleep hygiene. We’ve got some tips here.
  6. Stop the comparisons – your journey is unique. Everyone copes differently, find your unique way.
  7. Be kinder to yourself – self-talk is important. What we tell ourselves shapes our minds. Think good thoughts, Do good deeds. Talk to yourself as you would talk to a friend.
  8. Don’t be afraid to fail and try again – focusing on the mistakes will only leave you jaded. Always try to find the silver lining and the lesson and then choose to improve and move on.

We’re all just trying to do our best in our own little way. So be kinder to people. Everyone (yes, everyone, universally) has gone through a rough and tumble year. The only way to make it better is to start by being kinder to ourselves and to one another. That makes all the difference.

How do you take care of your mental health in these trying times? We’d love to get some tips. Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp