Last week we received the news that New York on PAUSE would remain in effect until at least May 15th. Although everyone has been told of the precautions needed to protect their physical health, it is important not to forget to take care of your mental and emotional health. Stress and uncertainty can take their toll especially with the change in your routine and the lack of human interaction due to social distancing. Greenlight is here to help!
Below are some tips and resources from the CDC to help you take care of you and your loved one’s mental health during this time.
- Take care of your body: Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Connect with others: Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships and build a strong support system.
- Take breaks: Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try to do activities you usually enjoy that follow social distancing guidelines.
- Stay informed: When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information like your local government authorities.
- Avoid too much exposure to news: Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.
Look out for these common signs of distress:
- Feelings of numbness, disbelief, anxiety, or fear.
- Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares and upsetting thoughts and images.
- Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes.
- Worsening of chronic health problems.
- Anger or short temper.
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
If you are experiencing any of these signs or need help, here are available resources to contact through the CDC https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
Text: TalkWithUs to 66746
Or check out online therapy provider Talkspace’s special resources designed specifically for managing your mental health during COVID-19. Through Talkspace, you can access online therapists, support groups and an anxiety relief program to reduce and manage fear about COVID-19.
Below are 6 additional apps to help support your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Want more tips and tricks on how to live virtually? Click the button below.
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