COVID Got You Down? How to Not Feel Like The Word is Against You

COVID-19 has created more than its fair share of issues aside from the obvious danger of the virus itself. Economic woes have hit many Americans, and jobless rates are higher than ever. It’s easy to feel down with a worldwide pandemic in effect and an uncertain future looming ahead.

Mental health should be one of your primary concerns in life, and your number one priority during this difficult time. People everywhere are embracing the time off from work in order to reset and evaluate where they’re at in life, what their priorities are or should be, and where they want to go from here. Maybe it’s time we all take some time for ourselves?

Let’s look closer at how you can navigate COVID-19 without feeling like the whole world is against you.

Make Your Mental Health A Priority

Worrying, spacing out, and feeling stressed are pretty normal reactions to the sudden fear of a worldwide pandemic. It’s nearly impossible not to worry at least a little bit, especially with businesses shutting down, people out of work, and vaccines only just reaching clinical trial phases.

The most important thing to keep in mind during this pandemic is…well, your mind. Now, more than ever, it’s important to put your mental health in the foreground instead of leaving it as an afterthought. You have this time to decompress and reflect on your life, now it’s time to identify the things that are affecting your mental health negatively.

Making your mental health a priority means understanding what a mentally healthy you looks and feels like, understanding any mental health conditions you may suffer from, and working every day to ensure you’re managing those symptoms and conditions.

You’ve probably noticed that the COVID-19 pandemic made them worse, and this is to be expected. Do whatever you need to do in order to keep yourself grounded. Exercise, eat well (or have some ice cream), talk to friends, play video games. Keep your mind busy and don’t fill it with negative thoughts or information.

Remember That Even A Pandemic Is Temporary

It certainly doesn’t feel like the pandemic will be temporary with the way the news reports on it. All we ever hear about are the death tolls, the shattered lives, and the dangers of the virus. Not surprising in modern journalism, but daunting nonetheless. After all, danger, fear, and anxiety sell more headlines.

Whatever the news might say, remember that even a plague is temporary. And, in case you didn’t know, several COVID vaccines are already entering the clinical trial phase for testing. So, there’s some hope after all, and a clear indication that COVID-19 won’t last forever.

Take The Right Precautions

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re no stranger to the conflicts that have occurred due to Coronavirus restrictions. During the peak of the pandemic in March/April, we saw marches and protest from people who actually didn’t believe the virus was real or dangerous. Yes, that actually happened.

The virus is real, and it’s important not to let doubt take over. The virus can kill, or, at the very least, cause severe health complications. It’s vital that all of us take the proper precautions to avoid contracting and transmitting the virus.

• Wear a mask in public
• Practice a social distance of 6ft or more
• Wash your hands frequently
• Watch for symptoms
• Do not go in public if you’re experiencing symptoms
• Self-quarantine for 14 days at the onset of symptoms
• Don’t gather in large groups

Stay In Contact

It’s easy to get caught up in the hysteria and forget about our friends and families. After all, we can’t go visit them, right? Fortunately for us, modern technology offers several ways for us to stay in touch with the people that matter most, but don’t expect people to check up on you. It’s important to remember that everyone handles traumatic events differently, and everyone has their own health and safety to look out for.

That being said, you can still try to stay in contact as best you can with those you love. This will help you stay sane during isolation and remind you that you do have allies. You will be reunited with loved ones eventually, but putting them at risk just so you don’t feel so alone anymore is a selfish decision to make.

It’s up to us to protect ourselves, of course, but it’s also our responsibility to protect others by following proper guidelines.

Conclusion

Remember that this trying time is but a temporary event in a long life of events. We’ll get through it! Keep yourself sane by keeping your mind busy, staying in touch with loved ones, and not buying into the fear that mainstream media operates on.