Tips for Maintaining Positive Mental Health While Social Distancing
Dealing with being at home all the time isn’t easy for everyone. Staying indoors can lead to feelings of isolation and take its toll on one’s mental health. While looking after our physical health is more important than ever, we must not underestimate the impact of increased stress and anxiety on our mental well-being.
As our team at the National Holistic Institute continues to operate remotely as well as on some campuses with outdoor supervised clinics, we continue to put the safety of our community first.
Here are some tips and best practices for maintaining positive mental health during these unprecedented times.
Stick to a routine
While some of us thrive from having a solid daily routine, others prefer to have less structure. During difficult times, however, maintaining a routine can help to manage feelings of anxiety and give a sense of control.
Creating a schedule for the day will help shift your focus to what you really need to accomplish and help get any necessary tasks out the way. This allows more time for healthy behaviors like exercise and any hobbies you may have.
Incorporating healthy habits will help keep your body healthy, inside and out. Exercise is a great way of relieving stress and tension from the body. It will also help regulate blood circulation, leaving you feeling energized for the day. When it comes to healthy eating, balance is key. Prioritize eating nourishing, whole foods but don’t forget to allow yourself some treats.
Even if you’re trying to limit your physical social contact, it’s important to keep in touch with your social network, whether this is via phone, text, or Zoom calls.
If you feel like you’re beginning to struggle, take some time to connect with a loved one and talk about how you’re feeling. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, you can Text “HOME” to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.
The necessity of calls throughout the workday means that even those that usually thrive on a conversation may feel a little bit drained. If you’re feeling this way, remember it’s okay to say no or to rearrange your plans.
When working from home, it’s easy to lose the distinction between work and non-work time. If possible, try to separate your physical workspace and avoid spending all day sitting in front of your screen, whether this is for work or pleasure. The blue light from smartphones and computers can be disruptive to your sleep and impact your overall well-being.
We all know it’s important to set work limits but the truth is this can be hard to stick to. Make sure you’re giving yourself reasonable limits, taking time to unwind, and putting breaks in your day in-between calls.
Focus on the positives
It may be helpful to view this as a different period in your life but not necessarily a bad one.
Without your usual commute, consider what you can now make time for. This could be learning a new skill or prioritizing self-care.
You may find yourself wanting to set new career goals and there are a number of online courses to help facilitate this. If you’re interested in massage therapy, our online quiz is a great way to identify the training and positions you are most suited to.
Even if staying positive can feel hard, you can keep yourself distracted and busy with things that make you feel good. Remember it’s unlikely that you will feel motivated every day, be kind to yourself, and don’t add extra pressure. You’re doing great!
Limit media intake
With so much coverage of the outbreak in the media, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the news. Managing your media intake and only following reliable sources will allow you to stay informed about the situation without impacting your mental health.
Try to avoid getting drawn into a negative spiral and focus on the things only you can control. The cause of anxiety is rooted in worrying excessively about things beyond our control.
While it’s likely we may be living with this “new normal” for some time, implementing good mental health practices will help you stay positive through quarantine and even come out of it stronger in the end.