COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the country, impacting our lives in ways we never imagined nor thought possible. Those who suffer from a clinical mental health disorder—specifically depression or anxiety—are especially fragile during these uncertain (and unsettling) times. With the world whirling in circles around us, changing seemingly by the minute, it’s difficult to feel in control of anything. So, what can we do to reduce the sensation of spinning out-of-control and nurture our mental health?
1. Reduce the consumption of news. Watching the news can heighten anxious feelings, as the media tends to sensationalize situations…without offering solutions. There is way too much information to take in and not nearly enough time to process it all. Never mind the fact that the news oftentimes contradicts itself, which complicates matters even more!
2. Make self-care a priority. Eat nutritious foods, and exercise at home—maybe even go outside of a walk, jog, run or hike provided you can practice social distancing while doing so. Get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Remember, your physical health is closely related to your mental health, so make self-care a priority!
3. Meditate, or otherwise reduce stress levels. Stress increases the body’s production of cortisol, which compromises the immune system. Use deep breathing, meditation, or other mindful practices to reduce stress levels and keep your immune system on guard.
4. Stay connected to friends and family. With social distancing, staying connected to friends and family isn’t easy…but it’s very important. Use technology to your advantage: FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Skype, or any of the many other video conferencing platforms that are easily accessible to us these days. Netflix even has a Netflix Party option that lets you watch movies and TV shows alongside friends and family.
5. Reduce social media scrolling. Through social media, we are exposed to so much information all at once…with little knowledge of which information is valid and relevant, and which isn’t. What authorities know about this virus is changing by the minute. Following minute-by-minute updates on social media will only add fuel to the fire that is anxiety.
Social media provides a lot of rapid information coming in at once, and it is oftentimes confusing to decipher accurate info from fake news. With information regarding the virus changing by the hour, it is hard to feel in control of your anxieties while scrolling through Facebook.
Is your clinical depression or anxiety reaching higher-than-usual levels during this uncertain time? Contact our office to see if we can help. Ketamine infusions aren't right for everyone, but if they're right for you they could change your life.
