Besides our own physical well-being, the community quarantine–being locked down at our own homes–can take a toll on our mental health. With limited physical social interactions, a feeling of isolation, little to no activities, and an air of uncertainty on what’s to happen, our mental health is put at risk. Anxiety, panic attacks, and depression should be addressed as early as possible. The good thing is that they can be prevented too.
Together with Magbikol Kita and the National Task Force, we’ve identified the following means to cultivate our mental health.
1. Lend a helping hand.
Being able to help–even in little ways–provides a sense of fulfillment. We can help out our colleagues and neighbors by purchasing groceries for them, assisting the elderly by running errands for them such as medicines. We can also help out feed our front liners with the help of groups or individuals.
2. Read books.
Reading books–crime novels, poetry, even the technical manuals–help our mental health. Regular reading, according to Scholastic Press, reduces stress level to about 68%, adding two(2) more years in one’s lifespan.
3. Watch light-hearted films or TV shows.
According to Birgit Wolz, PhD, a psychiatrist at the Zur Institute in California, watching films bring “insight, inspiration, natural change, and makes one feel better.” Films that are happy and inspiring bring bouts of laughter–another important factor in improving one’s mental health.
4. Limit your access to news and current affairs.
“Regularly watching the news add more anxiety, in days like these especially,” according to Laura Dreer, PhD. While we need essential information about the situations surrounding the pandemic, we should limit our access, including social media.
5. Begin and end the day with thanksgiving.
Devote a short amount of time at the beginning or the end of the day to give thanks. This should give one a positive outlook, especially in times like these. By being thankful of several things–the fact that we are healthy, lucky, or in a situation far better than most of us, we are attracting positive thoughts and energy.
6. Be open about your feelings and worries.
It is important to talk to others about your own feelings. By sharing our emotions to others, we can gain new perspectives and refresh our insights about the situation at hand. While guarding our children against fake news, we should be able to share with them life’s most important values.
7. Broaden your perspectives, expand your skills and knowledge
Now is the right time to learn a new skill set or two. Besides stimulating the brain, we gain employment advantage by adding more skills on our CVs.
8. Spend time with pets!
While reports show that pets may be stressed too during the lockdown situation, spending time with our furry friends also aid in the wellness of our mental health. Shelters from all around the world have seen a surge in adoption and care of these animals.
How do you take care of your mental health these days? Let us know! ■
