By Amanda Waddell, American Red Cross Volunteer
There’s no denying it. We are all experiencing a dramatic shift in our lives right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has found the majority of us in very different circumstances than we were in just a few weeks ago. Whether that is a change in work environment, loss of a job or a focus on self-isolation for your entire family, life is different.
How do we make sure that our mental health is as much of a focus as our physical health? An excellent place to start is creating and sticking to a routine.
Adjusting can be difficult, but if we can admit that this is HARD, then we can give ourselves a BREAK, which will allow us to figure out how to keep mentally fit and healthy throughout these strange times. Taking care of our mental health is always a priority, and even more so when the stress and anxiety of uncharted territory are upon us.
That can look very different from one person to the next, but as long as the goal is to incorporate activities that encourage our mind to rest, it doesn’t matter what it is! One person may want to start the day with exercise, while another may want to end the day with meditation. Or both! The point is the same – to find some calm.
Calm can also come from creating a sense of normalcy. Every day, get up, get dressed, and start your day as close to normal as possible. Working from home? Stick to your workday schedule. Kids out of school? Get them started on their day. Used to starting the day making the bed or writing in a journal? Great, keep going. Find that routine that works for you.
Also, within that routine, make an effort to reach out to someone that you love or want to connect with. Self-isolation and loss of our ability to socialize can make us feel alone, even scared. Reach out. Chances are your family and friends are experiencing many of the same emotions, and that connection is so important. Phone calls, texts, emails, letters, can make a world of difference to you and your community.
And most importantly, beyond anything else, ask for help. Anxiety and fear can manifest in countless ways, making it challenging to create a routine. Depression can be masked by feelings of confusion, numbness, even anger. Asking for help from a friend, loved one, or expert, can be life-saving. Don’t try to do this alone. We are all in this together.