How to take care of your mental health during a pandemic
Within the global response to the pandemic, the citizens of many countries are having to remain at home. Even so, prolonged isolation may take its toll on mental health. In this Special Characteristic, mental well-being advocates show their top tips about what you can do to cope with anxiety and pressure while stuck in the home.
In a press briefing on March 26, 2020, officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) mentioned the issues that the community is facing regarding mental and psychological health insurance and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Physical distancing and isolation measures, [and] the closure of schools and workplaces, are particularly [difficult for] us, because they affect what we like to do, where you want to be, and who you want to be with,” reported Dr. Hans Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for European countries, in his opening remarks.
“It is absolutely natural for every folks to feel stress, stress, dread, and loneliness during this time. At [the] WHO, we consider [effects on] our mental overall health [and] psychological well-being to be very important implications of COVID-19,” he added.
Stay informed with live updates on the existing COVID-19 outbreak and check out our coronavirus hub for even more advice on avoidance and treatment.
As people all over the world find themselves working at home or being home-schooled - struggling to travel even down the street to visit friends or family - staying mentally healthful could become increasingly problematic for many.
Just what exactly can individuals, together with society at large, do to preserve mental well-being and cope with stressors such as for example anxiety and loneliness?
To discover, Medical News Today have reached away to two mental health advocates: business neurolinguistic development practitioner and mental health trainer Tania Diggory, founder and director of Calmer, and mental health initially aider and mentor Kat Hounsell, founder of everyday people.
This Special Feature presents some best practice tips for maintaining good mental health that Diggory and Hounsell suggested, and also the official advice proposed by experts from the WHO.
Different challenges of working at home
Working at home may seem just like the dream set-up for a few, as it supplies the possibility to utilize that latent creative imagination from the level of comfort of a cozy, familiar environment.
However, additionally, it may bring a unique set of challenges - especially mainly because an enforced measure.
“While [being in a position to work from residence] may empower and up-level our working life, if taken up to the excessive, we wrap up being switched on the whole period,” Diggory told MNT.
“Oftentimes, the boundaries between residence life and work life may become blurred, and these boundaries are what enable us to remain healthy and very well,” she cautioned.
Within an enforced “work from home” situation, people may end up constantly sharing an area with other members of the family, and they may start to feel as though they have to focus on both domestic tasks and operate assignments concurrently.
This blending of home and work life could also result in working longer hours than usual.
“People may […] fall into a structure of overworking, a feeling or sense that they ‘should’ come to be working extended hours, to show co-workers that they are appearing productive - despite the fact that no-one can physically find them working,” said Diggory.
Managing stress even though working from home
So, how can persons address these difficulties and reduce the amount of stress that comes with working exclusively from a house environment?
“First of all, accept that stress levels will likely be higher for many at this time - whatever you’re feeling is valid considering the current context,” said Hounsell.
This is why, “[w]hen working at home, prioritizing your mindset and well-being in the beginning of the day is vital,” Diggory told us.
One helpful method to set boundaries in order that a person will not become overwhelmed with competing responsibilities is to make a physical space that's for work sole, where the person won't face non-work-related disruptions and interruptions.
“Where possible, it really is worth designating an area that's yours for work simply. This separation can support your body and mentally, and support get you into the appropriate headspace every time you settle directly into work.”
- Tania Diggory
“In the event that you live with relatives, somebody, or housemates, you could […] [have] a chat with them about what boundaries you should put in place to be able to ensure a healthy and productive mindset,” she suggested.
She also said that persons who talk about their homes with others could possibly be able to take advantage of the circumstances by co-opting family or housemates to actively help them stick to track.
For example, Diggory said, “If you struggle to take breaks during the day, you could use living with others in your favor - perhaps require their assist in encouraging you to take time from your desk at lunch time or for a mid-morning/afternoon break.”
Cooperation is major, Hounsell agreed. “Come to be kind and affected individual with yourself and those around you,” she encouraged.
She also stressed the value of maintaining other healthful habits - such as for example feeding on regularly and sticking to a healthful diet - because these are, in themselves, a cornerstone of mental health.
She also mentioned the importance of maintaining good communication with both housemates and work colleagues at the moment.
“Be open together with your strategies with those your home is with as well as your team - have very clear boundaries with your non-negotiables, and be open to overall flexibility where your schedule might need to adapt to support another person,” she added.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
