Managing Your Mental Health During The COVID-19 Outbreak

Top five tips to deal with stress in this tumultuous time

The longer the world remains in self-isolation due to COVID-19, the more mental health issues are of concern. Daily, people are worried about getting sick, or having someone they care about getting sick, which creates heightened levels of stress. People have lost their jobs and therefore their income. Others are still working but with the uncertainty of when this will all end, wondering for how long. 

Families all across the world are now homeschooling their kids which can be a challenge for both working and stay at home parents. Clearly, the effects of COVID-19 reach beyond physical health issues to the overall picture of mental health and wellness. 
 

What is the solution? What things can someone who is struggling with depression, fear and anxiety do to have more or a sense of peace in the days ahead? What can those who are doing ok and want to be sure they stay that way implement as well? 

Here are the top five tips on dealing with the stress in this tumultuous time. 

1. Don’t Buy Into the Panic

How many people on the planet are worried right now? Turn on the news. Spend some time listening to the conversations of others. How much of those conversations are about problems and struggle and what is not going right? Most. People who talk about all the amazing things that are occurring in their lives are considered not normal. Especially with the world’s current affairs. If most of the world, and perhaps the people you work with, spend their days anxious and upset, perhaps when you are feeling panicked too, it is not that you are panicked, rather, you are aware of everyone around you. 

One of the most effective tools to get rid of anxiety is a simple little question, “Is this mine?” Ninety-eight percent of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that we experience are not actually ours. We are just aware. We pick up on the worry of others and buy into the lie that we must be worried too. The next time you feel anxious, ask, “Is this anxiety mine?” If you start to feel lighter, you are not the anxious one. Letting it go doesn’t mean you are burying your head in the sand and being unaware of what it is occurring. Rather, it is recognizing that living in a constant state of worry is harmful to you and your body and it prevents you from seeing possible solutions.

2. If This Wasn’t a Problem, What Would the Possibilities Be?

When we focus on what is wrong in the world, when we only look at the problem, we stop ourselves from seeing possibilities and solutions. Questions are the key to changing this. When your mind is running the same dialogue over and over, you will be stuck in worry and not able to see anything other than that. You disrupt that negative dialogue when you ask a question. 

One question I like to ask in tumultuous times is, “If this wasn’t a problem, what would the possibilities be?” You can also ask, “What actually IS possible here that I have never considered?” And, “What is right about this that I am not getting?” When you ask these questions, don’t look for an answer. It’s not about finding the answer. It is about disrupting the mind chatter that stops you from seeing possibilities they do exist if you ask for them. 

3. Look for Things to Add to Your Life

If you are currently working, chances are you have a lot of things to do and at first glance, the idea of adding things to your life might sound a bit crazy. However, boredom or that sense of dissatisfaction is often nothing more than recognizing that you desire more. 

If you are in the opposite situation, currently unemployed and also bored, now is the time to add things to your life. What is fun for you? What is something new you would like to try? What hobbies, interests, activities are you curious about? Are there skills that you would like to acquire? During the slower pace of the world, use your time at home to learn a new skill. Learn a language. Practice cooking Paint pictures. Take photographs. What would be fun for you? 

Make a list of all of the things that you are interested in learning more about and daily take action on those things. 

4. Get Up and MOVE! 

While it can be easy to stay on the couch watching Netflix when you are feeling down, get up and move! Moving your body has a physiological effect on your body. Endorphins are released which can immediately affect your mood. Go for a walk. Ride a bike. Workout with yoga, Pilates, kick boxing or whatever is fun for you. You will feel much better.

5. A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way

What we acknowledge grows bigger. When you start to focus on the things that you are grateful for, more of those things show up. A great way to be more aware of all of the amazing gifts in your life is to start a gratitude journal and actually write them down. Every day, write down 3- 5 things that you are grateful for. Include what you are grateful for about you.

It is true that there is a lot of uncertainty in the world right now and although you cannot control all that is occurring, you can choose to create ease and peace for you. Don’t buy into the panic even though you can find it everywhere. Ask for possibilities rather than looking for more problems. You get what you look for. Add things that are fun to your life. Learn something new. Last but definitely not least, gratitude…choose it. Practice these things and you may just find your whole life becomes greater, even in challenging times. 

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Dr. Dain Heer is an influencer of change and inspiration with a community of over 1 Million+ people. He is a popular Speaker, Author and Inviter to greatness and consciousness. Originally raised in the ghettos of Los Angeles and trained as a Chiropractor, Dr. Heer is also the Co-Founder of a diverse range of businesses around the world. A conscious and creative thought leader with a profound understanding of the power of personal creation, Dr. Heer draws upon his background and unique perspective to facilitate positive change in the world, and empower people from every culture, country, age and social strata to create the money, relationships and life they truly desire.  Visit www.drdainheer.com Connect Dr. Dain Heer  Follow @dr_dainheer