How to Cope with Anxiety / Depression During COVID-19 Pandemic
Anxiety and depression rates in all age groups are up as a result of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Other than having more people who can physically empathize with us now, this stat doesn’t change much for those of us who already had one or both of these mental illnesses.
My Mental Health Status
Before I get into my pandemic mental health / how I improved it, I feel it is wise and transparent to talk about it on a typical day. I, unfortunately but openly, suffer from chronic anxiety, and I have shown signs of this since I was a toddler. This essentially means my condition will never go away, but there are ways of coping. I also feel it is important to mention that my anxiety is not stemming from depression. It is neurological, which means my nervous system is the sole cause of it. Similar to chronic pain, my body overreacts for no reason.
Mental Health During COVID-19
During the first few months of shutdown, I had no idea what to do with myself. I went down the dark tunnel of groundhog day – wake up, work, make dinner, go to bed. Repeat. It was the only way to keep my anxiety at bay while my extroverted brain was trapped inside with no human interaction outside of my fiance for days on end.
Eventually, avoidance was no longer the answer. I needed to find ways to find peace of mind despite the current world. Since then, I have established several methods for coping that don’t take much time to do but make a major impact. These have improved my mental health for the better, and hopefully will do the same for you.
11 Coping Methods to Improve Mental Health
Mental Health Trick 1: Working out
I’m sure I got some eye rolls for mentioning fitness first. Working out has always been the top way I have gone about coping with anxiety. It helps me get all of the excess energy out and take my mind off of whatever is happening in the world. During the first shutdown, I struggled to find routine without my morning time at the gym. I regret that I took so much time to establish a new one at home.
Mornings to Myself
Spending time in the mornings being able to journal, reflect, and wake up without any distractions puts me in the best mood. It lets me sip my coffee in peace and really be able to identify how I’m feeling and exactly why I’m feeling that way.
Candles
Candles are always a good idea. They can change my mood and mental state so quickly. Smell is, in my opinion, the most underappreciated sense. We don’t take advantage of how easy it is to make a room or ourselves smell good. Lighting a candle can change the vibe of an entire room and make everything just a little bit happier. I have linked a few of my favorites below.
Getting Ready for the Day
There is something about the routine of putting on clothes that makes each day feel more complete. Even if it’s just a fresh pair of joggers, I feel 10x more motivated to work and get things done if I change out of my pajamas.
Writing - On the Blog or just in general
Writing has always been an outlet for me. When I was little I would write books that made very little sense. All through high school I kept journals. The blog was started because I wanted to be able to help people through my passion for writing. They say to do what you love and you’ll never work a day of your life. Writing, both on the blog and in a journal/more personal manner, is my love.
Organizing
I have been on an organization KICK these past few weeks. Nothing is more pleasing than opening a cabinet and seeing everything laid out perfectly. I have this theory that you can’t be organized on the outside if you’re not organized on the inside. This means if your house is perfect but all of the drawers are overstuffed and messy, you’ll never really feel organized, nor will it stay that way. You have to address the mess before you can feel completely free of dysfunction. This is a whole series of blog articles in the making.
Long Walks
Though I am a little burnt out of these at the moment due to the initial lockdown, long walks are always soothing. They give you time to process the day and the world around you from a safe distance. I’m a firm believer in the 10,000 steps a day rule, and try to hit it at least 5 times a week.
Flowers to add Peace to the Home
Flowers, like candles, can completely change a room. You can have the biggest mess on earth, but if there are flowers, your eye overlooks the heaping piles of clothes and goes straight to the beauty. Trader Joe’s flowers (I think) last the longest and have been the most affordable option I have found.
Fun Coffee Mugs
If you’re a coffee drinker, you know how much your mugs mean to you. You unknowingly have favorites. Whether it is because you like what it says or simply because you like the color, there are ones in your cabinet you gravitate towards more than others. Why not make every mug in your home that mug? This is an easy way to start every day with a smile, and one of my favorites.
Uplifting Music
Music is, and always will be, a mood changer. Thinking back to my emo middle school “nobody understands me” days, I would listen to the most emo-pop things to feel better. Now, I am more into happy vibes and cheery songs. Those, along with some country songs, are what make my mental health improve significantly.
Giving Myself Grace
The biggest thing I have learned to do during this pandemic is give grace – to myself, to others, and to the circumstances. I time and time again am too hard on myself for the littlest things, whether it is sleeping in too late, not accomplishing enough in a day, feeling too anxious… Through this time of uncertainty, I have learned internal forgiveness is essential. Instead of “why’d you oversleep?” I tell myself my body needed the rest. Instead of “you didn’t accomplish enough”, it’s “let’s work an extra hour tonight and then do a checklist for tomorrow”. Little things really can make all the difference.
This is such an informed article, good sense from someone who knows what she is talking about and has had success in practicing the recommended skills. I’m reminded of the statement, “first set thine own house in order.” Begin at the center and work out from there! Thank you Hanza! CKS