Coronavirus, anxiety, stress, depression, your mental health

The present situation is shifting so rapidly it feels more like a horror movie than reality, and the general response of panic buying, and slow governmental responses worldwide isn’t doing a lot to help.

Everyone is forgiven for feeling anxious, if for no other reason than for the uncertainty that surrounds much of life right now.  It’s completely understandable to feel out of control.  Travel bans, social distancing, lockdowns, loss of jobs, livelihoods, life.  That list runs on.

For those who already have mental health ailments, this situation will only exacerbate your condition.  For those who are rubbing the edges of burnout or depression, the current state of play may well tip you into dangerous territory.  Keep yourself safe.

Then there are the rest of us, who, over the coming days, weeks and months may with little doubt tip over into the trial of self.  Hazard to say, suicide rates will spike.  We must prepare ourselves for the burdens to come, indeed those that are bearing down right now.

Here are some things to ponder as you endeavour to manage your mental health:

·                   Know that whoever you are, whatever you do or have done, what you have or don’t have, you are valuable just as you are!

·                   Practice self-care the best you can.  Make time for yourself and plan to do things that give you hope, that are enjoyable, that make you laugh, and that fulfil you

·                   Get a support network around you.  If it’s self-isolation, get connected through Zoom or Skype or some similar platform of video messaging.  Staying connected to people is vital for mental health

·                   Know that if you’re depressed or if you get depressed that you’re a normal human being, capable of being impacted mentally, emotionally, spiritually.  It’s no indication that you are weak or ‘less than’ anyone else, and indeed, it just shows you are human

·                   Stay as hopeful as you can.  List things you have to look forward to, and if there isn’t anything you’re looking forward to, keep thinking hard for what you can look forward to

·                   Don’t feel ashamed for not being able to cope, for needing to reach out, for having to rely on others when you would not want to

This current pandemic will probably be the biggest thing that will happen in our lifetime.  No matter how you cut it, this pandemic will not only infect hundreds of millions, possibly billions.

Even though the vast majority of us will recover, many of our older and elderly loved ones, and many other vulnerable people, are at acute risk of death.  That means the people we love.  There is much loss ahead of us.

As we read the words in real time it just has to impact us.  We wouldn’t be human if it didn’t.

We need to be gentle with ourselves when we regale with shock.  We need to be able to talk about how it makes us feel with sensible persons who will help us process our feelings and thoughts.  We need to be able to reconcile what we think and feel.

Sometimes humour helps.  If you can laugh, do so.  It may help save your sanity.  Whatever you do, know that you are valuable just the way you are, and you staying safe is very important.

 Photo by DANNY G on Unsplash