Greetings Community!
Many of us wonder why we have changed in this pandemic, many of us are anxious, worried, sad, vulnerable and we wonder what is wrong with us?
And that is because in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of drastic, non-therapeutic measures were implemented across the board to "flatten the curve" and slow the rate of COVID-19 infection.
While these drastic measures appear to have slowed the rate of COVID-19 infection, the impact of these interventions in other health settings has yet to be determined.
Particularly among the most vulnerable people, quarantines are known to have negative physical, psychosocial and economic impacts on populations that can affect morbidity and mortality.
Mental health is a state of well-being in which a person realizes his or her capabilities and is able to cope with the normal stresses of life, to work productively and to contribute to his or her community.
But let's not get discouraged, there are several options to keep us mentally healthy, despite the confinement we are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am going to give you some personal advice on things we can do without exposing ourselves too much.
Get a good night's sleep
Stick to bedtime routines so you get enough sleep each night.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet strengthens the immune system.
Get a little sunshine
Sunlight can help improve mood. Try spending 30 to 60 minutes a day outdoors, whenever possible.
Exercising 30 minutes three times a week, reading a book, practicing disciplines such as yoga, mindfulness, meditation or breathing exercises, clear the mind of worries, stress and increase peace of mind.
It is important to generate positive thoughts that improve mood; living in the here and now increases awareness and avoids anxiety.
The pandemic rocked us in many ways and we have to rethink things, the only thing we have in our hands is ourselves, our emotions, the people we love.
How I inhabit the world I am in, how I allow the emotions of anxiety, stress, sadness, not to manage me.
Some signs that we should identify when our mental health is affected and we should ask for help:
Lack of desire to do things
Panic or anxiety attacks
Lack of concentration
Isolation
Feelings of hopelessness
Sadness that lasts longer than two weeks
Sudden mood swings
Mood
Eating
Sleep habits
Abuse of alcohol or illegal substances
Violent attitudes
Constant presence of crying
Signs that tell us it is time to ask for help and must be addressed immediately to maintain our emotional stability.
Failure to address mental disorders has consequences, limiting opportunities to lead a fulfilling life, so taking care of our mental health must be a priority.