Hard times, indeed. Enduring the world’s lockdown is never easy, after all. Apart from the precautions we need to take to protect our physical health in the middle of everything, we have to pay attention to our mental health as well. But of course, even that one is easier said than done.
As the hours, days, weeks, and even months continue to blur and our worries stack up, things just get more difficult. Sometimes, even the idea of waking up in the morning already seems too difficult.
But that does not mean we would no longer try, right?
We have been trying out different strategies in hopes of making things even a little bit better and we would like to share some of these hacks with you.
We thought you might be able to pick up a thing or two from this list:
Stay connected with people you are comfortable talking to
Thanks to technology, we now have various means to keep talking to people—even those who are miles away from us. It’s actually great to take advantage of these innovations to keep us connected virtually even during these trying times.
Besides talking to one another, you may also try different activities to bring you together virtually. You may eat and drink “together” or even watch movies or series with the use of some apps. You can have quiz nights, too.
Whether they are your family, friends, special someone, colleagues, or even some individuals you just met online through a common interest or advocacy, stay connected with them if they are helping you cope with things. They help you feel less alone, especially if you are living by yourself and are craving human connection.
Take a break when you need to
It is so easy to get tired these days, not just physically and mentally but also physically.
Given all the changes we have been forced to cope with, this is not surprising at all. Everything can easily feel so overwhelming, anyway. Some experts say it’s because our “surge capacity” is depleted, making us feel awful.
There is also the so-called “quarantine fatigue,” which basically explains why some of us now have less motivation to follow safety guidelines.
Indeed, this pandemic is taking a toll on our mental health in so many ways, and it makes so much sense to have strategies to cope with stress and help our brains to process things and not feel too overwhelmed. So if you need to, take a break.
Find new hobbies or rediscover old ones
Having a hobby is a healthy way to cope with stress since it allows our brains to take a short break from all the craziness that is taking place all over the world.
This is the reason why a lot of people have been busy discovering new passions lately. Some, on the other hand, rekindle their love for some pastimes they abandoned long ago.
You can pick up a new hobby or rediscover a new one, too! Ask yourself about the things you have been longing to try or about old passions you had when you were younger. This may be the best time to finally devote time to them.
Follow a schedule if you’re working from home
Working from home can be beneficial. No more long and tiring commutes and no need to follow a long list of rules in the office. But these past few months, more and more people have also been speaking up on its downside.
One of the most common concerns is its ability to blur the boundaries between work and life. No wonder, many are experiencing remote work burnout.
To avoid this, you may begin to follow a more structured schedule if you are working from home. This means that you also need to discipline yourself when it comes to reading and responding to work-related messages outside your work hours.
This way, you can stop yourself from working all the time and you can have the chance to take a break and do other things you love or maybe just rest.
Be kinder to yourself
Can’t finish a task as fast as you normally would before the pandemic struck? That is perfectly understandable. You are not alone.
Even the most productive individuals are having a time right now. Things just aren’t right, and it is definitely okay to cut yourself some slack. You need to practice self-compassion.
According to Jonathan Black:
“Self-compassion is treating yourself with kindness and fairness, the way you would a good friend, when facing adversity, like a setback, disappointment or other trying time.”
We need this now more than ever since many of us are guilty of forgetting about our own needs in times of distress.
Try to work out or meditate
Exercise and meditation can do wonders for the weary mind, particularly in a time like this. Even a small amount of physical activity is powerful enough to impact the way you think and feel.
As for meditation, it is said to help reduce anxiety by helping individuals cherish their present consciousness and stop worrying so much about the future that is simply beyond their control.
If you haven’t yet, you may want to give it a shot. Don’t know where to start? You may download an app to help you. There are a number of guides online to guide you as well.
And if you are a Sinaya Cup user, be sure to join the Sinaya Tribe because we host free workout and meditation sessions for members. You may join the group here.
Seek professional help when necessary
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health.
If you think you need to talk to professionals who can help you with your concerns, you may get in touch with the following institutions:
New National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotlines
0917 899 8727 (USAP)
989 8727 (USAP)
Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF)
(02) 804-HOPE (4673)
0917 558 HOPE (4673)
2919 (toll-free for GLOBE and TM subscribers)
Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services
8426 5982
bulataocenter.ls@ateneo.edu
MedMom Institute for Human Development
0915 876 1234
administrator@med-mom.com
In Touch Community Services
8893 1893
0917 863 1136
0956 053 4257
Crisis Lines
0917 800 1123
0922 893 8944
8893 7603
Gray Matters Psychological and Consultancy, Inc.
0997 561 8778
mhpo.online@gmail.com
Again, you are not alone. It’s been really tough for all of us and we, too, have been struggling to keep things together. Yet, we are hoping that you can get something from this list of ours.
Take care!
