Naturally many of us will be worried, concerned about our jobs, family and friends. These issues can be exacerbated when we’re faced with spending large amounts of time indoors, coupled with reduced social contact.
Taking care of your mental health has never been more important, and taking a structured approach to caring for yourself and your mental wellbeing is important.
We are arguably facing the biggest crisis of a generation. It’s important to recognise that any negative feelings are not only common, but also completely justified. This is not business as usual. However, consider this: as challenging as our times may be, it will eventually pass, and we’ll get through this, together.
We're also going to accept that society as we knew it before may never return. The status quo could indeed never return, but that only means that we should look forward to many positive societal changes as a result of the crisis we've been through.
One thing is clear: social distancing is here to stay for a while. But that doesn’t and shouldn’t interfere with us staying in contact with the people that matter the most. We can continue to maintain healthy relationships in several ways: phone calls, messaging, social media and especially video chats are all handy tools that allow us to connect with our family and friends. Schedule time to stay in touch and get through this together with those you care about.
‘Mens sana in corpore sano’ – a healthy mind in a healthy body. Mental and physical health are not independent of each other.
Try to make time to get some form of exercise every day. Go on a walk or bicycle ride (remember the proper social distancing rules). If you don’t want to risk it, there’s plenty of exercise programs you can find online which can be done at home. Make sure you get plenty of restful sleep and prioritise your diet.
It’s important to keep yourself up to date with the latest developments and measures implemented by the UK Government. However, consider that beyond a certain point, continuing to read the news isn’t always productive. Try limiting the time that you spend following coverage of the outbreak and see if this helps. Always use trustworthy new sites and make sure to fact-check information whenever you can.
It can be difficult to relax nowadays, taking some time just for yourself can help you process any feelings and worries. Why not try spending time catching up with your favourite TV show, taking a relaxing bath, escape into a new book, or take up a hobby you’ve never had time for before. Choose whatever activity works for you and take the time to ‘re-charge’.
If you’re not working from home, you may find yourself with a lot of spare time on your hands. You may find it helpful to create a new routine and structure for your day. Consider creating a daily routine at the beginning of each week: This could include setting aside time for a home workout, enjoying a hobby, regular mealtimes and getting up at the same time each day. What’s important here is establishing a daily structure or routine which works for you. Try to focus on the things you can control rather than trying to solve issues which you can’t.
Think about the practical measures that you might be able to implement to help alleviate the stress of the COVID-19 crisis. If you’re not too keen on going outside to shop you might be able to order your groceries online, plan and book as far in advance as you can which could help reduce stress about accessing basic goods.
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Dennis Ouko MPharm
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