Restorative Mental Health Tips to Manage Pandemic Chaos

By Sharon Wagner

If you’re already dealing with mental health challenges, COVID-19 likely added an unwelcome amount of pressure to your life. But whatever obstacles you encounter amid the pandemic chaos, replenishing your emotional energy stores and addressing your mental health needs are positive steps. Start restoring your inner peace with these tips from Zomnir Family Medicine.

Indulge Your Emotions
The bottom line is that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, stressed, sad, or even happy during a pandemic. Realistically speaking, no emotion is a bad thing — it’s how you handle those feelings that matters. Choose healthy ways to feel those big feels, and you’ll be far better off.

• Acknowledge and embrace emotions as sources of information, not as the be-all-end-all of your experience.
• Have some strategies in place for handling sadness when it does rear its melancholy head.
• Release your pent-up emotions if you feel like crying; letting the tears flow can be beneficial in the long run.
• Spend time outdoors to reap the side effects of grounding yourself in nature.
• If you hold a leadership position at work, the load that’s on your back every day can seem overwhelming, so be sure to have a solid stress management plan in place.

Handle Self-Care
Self-care may sound trendy and self-indulgent, but it’s one of the healthiest things you can do for your mental state. Doing things you enjoy is rewarding on its own, but taking a break from the stress of life can do wonders, too.

• Outline your expectations and goals for self-care — and recognize what it’s not.
• Explore journaling for self-help, writing about either things that make you happy, or noting what challenges you’re facing.
• Start practicing meditation and yoga for both physical and mental well-being.
• Exercise with a smartwatch so you can monitor your progress and track your fitness goals (make sure you have a proper screen protector and band that can withstand the rigors of working out). 
• Revamp your sleep hygiene with better routines and habits for restful nights.
• A clean home is a happy home, so splurge a little and check into upholstery cleaning specials that nearby cleaning companies may have to offer. 

Get Professional Help
As beneficial as sitting with your emotions and addressing self-care can be, there are times when professional help is crucial. Check in with your emotional and mental state, and don’t hesitate to seek support when you feel overwhelmed.

• Consider the signs that you may benefit from seeking therapy with an expert and explore your options.
• Explore other options for connecting with mental health support for pandemic times.

Pandemic living isn’t a walk in the park, especially when you’re stuck at home most of the time. But with these resources, you can start on a path toward improved mental health. Whether you go it alone or seek professional help, every step means progress. 

Photo via Unsplash
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Zomnir Family Medicine concierge medical practice offering excellent medical care with service and compassion. Reach out today! 972-218-0020

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