If you feel isolated, anxious, and depressed during this pandemic age, then you’re not alone. There are millions of others more like you who are suffering an onslaught of mental and emotional distress because of the effects that COVID-19 has on everyone’s daily lives. From stressing about their unemployment to the lack of social interactions, there is a massive toll that COVID-19 has on our mental health.
These mental strains that we are all experiencing at the moment can trigger and even intensify symptoms of depression, especially those who are prone to it and have been diagnosed with clinical depression. When you’re suffering from depression, life can be so bleak and repetitive. You lose your interest in the things that you like and even affect how you usually do things. For the most part, everything can be so draining and meaningless.
Also, depression can even give you some physical symptoms, which can be more depressing if you think about it. Even if some countries are already easing up on their restrictions, for the most part, the normal life that we know of can still seem so far away. Thankfully, there are things you can do to ease up your depression and even lessen some of its symptoms. Here are some of them.
Find Some Hope
This may sound impossible if you think about it, especially when there’s nothing else on the news but negative things. But still, stepping back from things and looking at the big picture, there is some hope to be had, albeit you have to have the motivation to find them. For example, Wuhan, China, the source of the outbreak, have significantly reduced their COVID cases thanks to their countermeasures.
In some countries, many stores are opening, and most countries in the world are easing up their restrictions. Although having back the normal lives we once had can still be far away, we slowly get there. If most of your worries come from your finances, then there’s a silver lining to be had. You may be unemployed now, but you can adjust your mindset.
Think of your unemployment as your time in between your work. Once the pandemic is over, there will be pent-up demand for workers as more and more businesses will be returning from closure or a skeletal workforce.
Change Your Focus
There’s no easy fix for depression, especially when you lack motivation and the energy to do things you once found fun. However, you can control your mood more than you realize. The pandemic age can indeed be painful and worrying for most of us, not to mention that there’s nothing else on the news except negativity.
And at the same time, depression can even intensify our feelings of fear and anxiety. However, by simply recognizing that you’re depressed, everything can turn around.
When you’re depressed, worrying about your finances, and isolated from the world, the negativity that you see in your life can be never-ending. However, you can end this stream of negative thoughts by putting meaning in your daily life. Perhaps there is an instrument you want to learn for a long time, or maybe a language you want to master. Or how about those projects that you have postponed for so long because you were busy at work? Distracting yourself is a good strategy to abate your feelings of depression.
Not only that, but you can also do things that can uplift your feelings. Not having fun per se, but small things that can make you feel lighter and upbeat—for example, listening to joyful music or eating your favorite foods. Or, if you have time to sit down and watch some videos, try watching some funny videos so you can have a laugh. If your nearby park is open, you can have a walk with nature and interact with some park-goers if it’s safe.
Connect Virtually with Service Providers
A lot of establishments are still closed today, even ones that are providing professional mental health help. However, even if they’re closed or not open for an appointment in person, you can contact them virtually. Consider using teletherapy to have routine check-ins and receive therapy and advice from mental health professionals in the comfort of your home. You can even find websites that can help you with medications like BuzzRx.com.
Therapy can help you cope with things and find new ways of thinking to help you with your mental health. When choosing a therapist, make sure to explore your options by looking up treatments that can fit your needs, budgetary constraints, and most importantly, someone whom you think will make you comfortable. If you’re unable to connect with a professional, there are hotlines for suicide prevention that can support you anytime.
Final Thoughts
The pandemic age has taken a toll on all aspects of everybody’s life. Most people focus more on the financial side of things, which says a lot about our society. That said, mental health is getting on the backline of priorities, which is wrong as it’s just as important as everything else in our lives. There’s nothing wrong with pouring attention on the other aspects of your life, but don’t forget about your mental health.