It’s important to keep our minds healthy in addition to our
bodies. However, COVID-19 has had an effect on our mental health in a variety
of ways — from causing stress, to cutting us off from friends, family and
co-workers. So how can we reduce the impact on our psyche? This week we chatted
with Susan Peek, a long-time Red Crosser currently volunteering with Disaster
Mental Health, about COVID coping tips to help keep our mental wellbeing
healthy.
“We need to change the language around ‘social distancing’,”
Susan says. “Social distancing” sends the wrong message: it’s isolating and
imprecise. A better term, she says, is “physical distancing,” because
maintaining contact with friends and family remains crucial. Picking up the
phone and calling loved ones can go a long way toward not only helping your
mental health, but that of those you’re talking to, too.
Practicing Grounding
Next up is grounding, a technique where you anchor yourself
with facts to allay fears. In practical terms, Susan recommends limiting
yourself to reputable sources of information about the virus like the Red
Cross, or the World Health Organization.
Grounding works by challenging negative thinking, allowing you to “take a step
back”, which helps reduce fears and worries.
Nailing down a Routine
Maintaining a routine helps give you structure and lessens
your day-to-day mental load. It can be hard to keep to a routine during a
lockdown, but Susan strongly recommends it as a COVID coping tip. At the same
time, it can be difficult to “switch off” from a routine, which is why Susan
recommends…
Remembering Self-Care
One thing we hear a lot from people working from home is
that it’s tough to set boundaries. “I’m already working on the couch all day,
what’s an hour more?” Let’s dump that mindset, Susan recommends, and practice
more self-care! Self-care can take many forms, but boils down to a fundamental
question: what do I need to feel good? From a walk in the sun amongst some
fresh scenery to an elongated coffee break, it’s important to be looking out
for our feelings and emotions during a crisis.
In addition to keeping ourselves healthy and safe, it’s
important to also consider our mental wellbeing by applying Susan’s tips:
staying in contact with our loved ones, grounding ourselves, building a routine,
and practicing self-care. Additional
coping tips are available on our website. On that note, it’s proven that
altruism can help our mental health by giving us positive feelings — have you booked your next blood donation?
Story by: Tim Snedden, Communications Volunteer
American Red Cross, Western New York Region
