After the outbreak of COVID-19, nearly every country imposed a lockdown on its citizens. The fear for yourself and the health of your loved ones has become overbearing and many people have experienced a decline in their mental health. Constant stress and anxiety that fear has caused have not been made easier by the self-isolation that is necessary for avoiding the virus. If you are someone who has a hard time staying calm in these trying times you should consider following some of the advice below.

Contact Mental Health Services

Maintaining good mental health can sometimes be hard to do on your own. The mental health experts from https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com have highlighted the importance of seeking professional help if things get hard. You can contact them through your phone or write to them online. Don’t wait for things to escalate. As soon as you notice that you can’t cope with the situation, contact people who can help you. Sometimes admitting that you have a problem can be hard, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

Take a Break from Media Consummation

It is very important to stay informed but on the other hand, it can be even more important to lay off social media and TV for a while. The constant influx of depressing and negative news that comes from every part of the world can be fatal for one’s mental health. That is why you should take a step back for at least a few days and focus on other more positive things in your life.

Try to Rationalize the Situation

When anxiety strikes it can be really hard to take a step back and look at the situation realistically. However, it is crucial for calming yourself down. Always remember that staying away from your loved ones can save their lives and that there are many trained medical professionals who can help. This situation will not last forever. When this is all over, you will be able to enjoy your life in peace, more than ever.

Stay in Contact With Your Friends and Family

Even if you can’t see them in person, you can always talk to your loved ones. In the age of social media and with the development of technology, you are always able to stay in touch. When things get rough and you feel like you are losing control, contact someone that makes you feel safe and happy. Now more than ever, we need to stay together emotionally even if we need to stay physically apart. You will help yourself and maybe even help them.

Exercise

Studies have shown that doing some light exercise raises our endorphin, serotonin, and dopamine levels. Those are the hormones that cause us happiness. There are a lot of free online fitness courses that you can follow at home. Laying around all day will not tire you out and will make space for negative thoughts to pile up. By exercising you will stay fit, healthy, and will keep the bad thoughts at bay.

Practice Meditation

Meditation will help you clear out your mind and practice your breathing. That could be crucial when anxiety or panic attacks strike. Do it once a day and after some time you will feel calmer. When the anxiety comes knocking try to take notice of your breathing and try to slow it down. Meditation is a form of doing a spring cleaning in your head. It will help rationalize the situation and replace the negative thoughts with some more positive ones.

Find a Hobby

Finding a hobby will make you feel more productive. It will occupy your thoughts and escape from reality at least for a few hours. You could try DIY, reading, making art, crafting, writing, or anything else creative. When you finish your project it will make you feel accomplished and proud. Doing housework also counts if you don’t feel very creative, like cleaning the house or redecorating it to your liking.

Have a Routine

Isolation will disrupt your daily routine and that can be extremely stressful. People often rely on their habits, and by stopping them they are entering uncharted territory. Wake up and go to bed at the same time, plan out your meals, do some light fitness, and call your loved ones. It will help you regain control of your life. That way you will be able to adjust to the new normal that isolation brings with it.

Everything feels very scary and stressful and it can be hard staying positive. Taking care of your health means that you should take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Don’t hesitate to go into action if you notice that you have a problem. There is no reason to feel ashamed. If you feel like you are losing control of your mind, contact a professional immediately.