The notorious Corona Virus is hitting us all at full speed, leaving most of us semi-quarantined with some serious uncertainty and anxiety. First and foremost- this is normal! These are unprecedented and frightening times for us all, having anxiety around whether you're going to get sick or whether you'll be able to get food to feed your family is totally normal. This makes taking care of our mental health even more important during these trying times.
Counseling is still one of the most important steps to take in managing your mental health. Even through social distancing, most counselors (Apex included) are still working and available to see their current clients and take on new ones. Counselors are switching to telehealth options to avoid physical contact and the state has been working to expand insurance coverage to pay for these session. But managing your mental health is about what you do outside of counseling as well, so what other ways can you manage your mental health while your stuck at home?
Obviously first on our list is going to be binge watching that wild new Netflix documentary or that hilarious Hulu series you've had on the back burner. There's nothing wrong with spending some lazy down time zoning out but its also important to stay active! Even with your gym closed you can still workout and stay fit while at home. There are many video workouts you can subscribe to and Youtube is a great free resource for at home workouts. Remember that social distancing doesn't necessarily mean staying inside- the weather is breaking so take advantage and go for a jog outside, take your pups on a long walk, check out the local parks and take a hike. Get done some of those housing projects you've been putting off- hanging those pictures, putting up that shelf, fixing that dripping faucet. Its also the perfect time for spring cleaning!
While you're on that cleaning spree with all your free time make sure you delve into your closets and kid's toy chests. Clean out all of those clothes you haven't worn, those canned goods in the back of your pantry that are collecting dust, or the toys your kids have outgrown and take them to your local donation center.
Make sure you keep your brain active with all this down time. Books, puzzles, crossword puzzles, board games, brain teasers, coloring, meditation, guided imagery, cards, or trivia are all great ways to exercise your brain between those Netflix episodes.
Use the time and money you're not spending on going out to bars, restaurants or movies to invest in a new hobby. Drawing, lettering, writing, woodworking, knitting, cross stitch, painting, cooking, baking, home brewing, darts, photography, scrap booking, jewelry making, pottery, building- the possibilities of at home hobbies are endless.
Don't forget to stay social! Social distancing does not mean isolation and all this time at home could give you some serious cabin fever if you're not staying connected with your loved ones. Call your friends and family, especially the ones who are in stricter quarantines because of age or health issues. Stay connected with your people through text, social media, snap chat, videochat. Start a virtual book club through a facebook group, set a time to binge watch your favorite shows and live tweet or text about the show, skype or facetime a virtual board game night. Its never been easier to stay in touch with people virtually so take advantage.
Be conscious of your social media consumption. During a highly emotional time like this there can be a lot of chaos and misinformation on the internet. Don't worsen your anxiety by reading your crazy uncle's conspiracy theories. Work to responsibly fact check your media and look for updates on the situation through official government websites or other valid resources like the WHO.
Above all else remember that this will pass. There is no reason to believe that things won't go back to normal after sometime, remember that all this anxiety and chaos is only temporary and that before long we will all return to our regularly scheduled lives.
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