Small Ways to Help Your Mental Health During COVID-19

The effect this pandemic has on us has a really wide range. There are people who are seriously struggling, either with their health or finances, as well as people whose lives are mostly normal but they’re managing the day to day being a lot harder than it used to be. Regardless of where you are on that spectrum, I think we can agree that we’re all a little… off right now.

I’m going to throw in my somewhat biased but also expert opinion here: therapy is the best way to learn how to improve and maintain your mental health in a way that works for you. It’s one of the many hills I will die on. That being said, not everyone has the ability to start therapy right now and it shouldn’t be all or nothing. There are plenty of ways to maintain your well being even if you, for whatever reason, can’t choose the most optimal path. So if that’s where you are, it’s okay! Here are some small, everyday things you can do in order to make it a little easier to make it through this time. I’ll tell you a secret, too – they work even when we’re not dealing with a pandemic.

Sleep in.

Yup, that’s in. Just get some more sleep. I realize not everyone is able to do this on a regular basis (hello, parents!), but as much as you can, sleep until your body no longer wants to sleep. Listening to your body without restriction is freeing in and of itself, but chances are, you’re tired. Stay in bed!

Move.

Please note that I did not say exercise. Exercise is great, but implies that you’re sweaty, out of breath, and changing into different clothes. You don’t need to formally exercise, although you should if you can! Just move your body. Take a walk. Stretch a few times a day. Dance around to your favorite song. Do it for a few minutes and note how you feel afterwards compared to how you felt before. It’s pretty awesome, right?

Cry, scream, hit things (soft, inanimate objects).

I recently read an article in the New York Times advocating for losing control sometimes and I couldn’t agree more. LET YOUR FEELS OUT. It’s okay to feel them and it’s okay to express them. That hitting the pillow thing also really works. Throw a blanket. Throw your shoe. Just don’t throw or hit others. That’s still a crime, rightfully so.

Take a break.

Another thing we can’t do all the time, but when you can, do it. Even if it’s just a few minutes to listen to music, watch a TV show, read a book, or anything else that gives you a minute to breath, it will still be beneficial. TAKE FIVE!

Connect – when it feels right.

Connection is always a delicate balance between wanting to be surrounded by friends and family and NO TOO MANY PEOPLE PLEASE GO AWAY. We naturally fall more one end of the spectrum or the other, and that’s okay. It’s all a little bit trickier now, so make sure you’re checking in with yourself and listening to when you need to spend some time with your people and when you need to crawl into your metaphorical hole by yourself (or real hole, you know, if that’s your jam).

Give yourself a weekly treat.

Once a week, take some time to do something that is just for your enjoyment. Order your favorite dessert. Take a yoga class. Color. Read. Plant a garden. Go to a farmer’s market (while keeping six feet away sorry I had to say it!). It doesn’t matter what it is, just do something for YOU. I order from my favorite Italian restaurant once a week. It’s to support them, but it’s really to support me too. It’s a fun tradition to look forward to as a “Congrats! You made it through another week of this madness!” celebration.

Make a list of things to look forward to once this is over.

This WILL end one day. It might not be soon and we might not be able to circle the date on the calendar right now, but it will end. COVID-19 will be in the past at some point. Make a list of what you want to do and where you want to go when it’s over. Even if you can’t plan specifics, it can be helpful to remember that this will end and there will be a time when you can do everything you love again. Perspective. It’s beneficial to be present and stay in the moment, but sometimes the moment sucks. It’s helpful to have a reminder that it’s just a moment and not forever.

Take any of these tips that feel helpful and apply it to your life. Leave any that don’t. Whatever you do, know that I’m rooting for you and I know you can get through this.