The New Normal and Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways, and we all have to adjust to the current situation as well as the new normal that will remain even as the number of cases continue to drop. The stress of the virus and all of the changes that came with it has taken a toll and many people’s mental health and wellbeing. However, there are some things that you can do to improve your mental health.

Therapy

The pandemic has led to isolation and poor mental health in many people. It has also caused financial stress as many people have reduced income due to job restrictions or layoffs. Furthermore, the virus itself has taken lives in virtually every community which causes fear of sickness and even death. All of this has led to the development or worsening of mental health issues.

If you are struggling with your mental health and nothing seems to help, you may benefit greatly from therapy. A therapist or counselor can help you identify negative thinking patterns, examine triggers, reach new goals, and learn effective coping strategies. You can even find a therapist online today at BetterHelp.

Watch Less News

The news can be informational and keep us in touch, but it is also full of negative stories that can stress us out. Nowadays, with the internet and all the news and information available, we are constantly bombarded with news stories. It may be beneficial to limit the amount of news that you watch.

You probably still want to keep up with the news, but you may not to read so many stories each day. Try to only check once a day. If you are worried about missing headlines, then you can get notifications for breaking news story on your phone or sent to your email. Then you can just check the news once in the morning or evening and will still be updated by any important news events.

Stay Connected

Depending on whether you and your loved ones have been vaccinated may determine your ability to connect face-to-face. However, you can still remain connected to the people your friends, neighbors, and family using technology. Even though video chatting is not a substitute for in-person social interaction, it can still be beneficial.

Help Others

If you have the time or resources to help other people, doing so may actually benefit your mental health and happiness. Even small acts of kindness can be good. Just donating food or volunteering for a local cause can be beneficial to the people you help and to your wellbeing. You could even send a care package to a loved one that has masks, hand sanitizer, snacks, games, and other things that can make their lives a little better.

Find a Hobby

Hobbies can be great for our mental health and some can be good for your physical health as well. You can try to pick up a musical instrument or learn to draw. A hobby can provide joy and meaning to your life or even reduce your stress and anxiety levels. This is only one of the reasons that you should find time to spend for yourself.

Furthermore, creative hobbies like art or music can be great for wellbeing as well because they can release dopamine which can improve mood. There are also activities like playing a sport or taking a walk that give us time to ourselves while also providing us with physical activity that can boost mood as well.

Stay Healthy

It is important to stay physically healthy as well. Make sure that you are getting a good amount of sleep every night. If you are not sleeping well, you may want to try to detach from your electronic devices earlier in the day. You may also improve your sleep by going to bed and waking up at the same times every day.

You should also try to eat healthy foods. These can boost your immune system to fight the coronavirus and even improve your mood. It is easy to incorporate healthy foods into your diet. Have apples or oranges around to grab as a quick snack or add vegetables to your dinner. Your body and mind will thank you for it.

Conclusion

The pandemic has changed our lives drastically in many ways, but that does not mean that it has to negatively impact your mental health. There are things you can do to improve your mood. Pick up a hobby or help out your community. You should also try to exercise regularly and interact with your friends and family even if you can only do so with technology. If you are still struggling with mental health issues, therapy may be a good option as well.