Mental Wellness during COVID-19 and Coping with Anxiety during this Pandemic

Mental wellness is a positive state of mental health. It is more than the absence of mental illness. Being mentally well means that your mind is in order and functioning in your best interest. You are able to think, feel, and act in ways that create positive impact on your physical and social well-being.

The following may help you cope and help reduce anxiety as we navigate the developments of COVID-19:

· Set a Time Limit for Watching the News and Updates – Keep informed but do not let the information consumption take up too much of your time. Make sure you are using reliable information sources.

· Maintain Your Connections – Stay in touch with friends and family through social media, facetime, telephone conversations. Also see if you can go for walk or a bike ride with a friend and just stay 6 feet apart to stay safe.

· Maintain Healthy Habits – make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercise as often as you can. Also try to get outside for at least 30 minutes a day to enjoy the sun and feel like you are not trapped in your home.

· Perspective is Key – Remember that you have survived difficult situations in the past. Realize that the COVID-19 restrictions will slowly be decreasing so therefore there is hope to return to a “new normal”.

· Maintain your Normal – As much as you can, continue to live your normal life. Routine can create calm. For example, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.

· Make Choices to Reduce your Anxiety – Select a daily activity that helps reduce stress can be very helpful. This can be anything from having a gratitude journal, meditation, yoga, a hobby, going for a bike ride, walking your pet, or getting fresh air by yourself.

If you are feeling overly stressed out or worrying more than usual and you notice the stress and anxiety is starting to disrupt your daily life, then it is time to ask for help. Speaking to one of our counsellors at Interactive Counselling would be beneficial. We can offer some new ideas and strategies to help you manage this new normal life with COVID-19. Please call us at Interactive Counselling to book a counselling appointment.