Understanding Mental Health amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the pandemic, many individuals have experienced the struggles of dealing with depression and anxiety. Many campaigns and advocates aim to disseminate information about depression and other mental health concerns.
However, some people are still baffled, confused, or discriminatory against people who have these conditions. Mental health concerns can affect anyone of any age. No matter how successful or abundant a person’s life may seem, this does not give them immunity from potential mental health risks.
Today, it’s crucial to constantly check up on your family and loved ones to see if they need someone to talk to about their concerns. Simply having someone listen to personal thoughts and struggles can offer a gentle release for those suffering mentally and emotionally. While this is so, many patients need professional help. A wellness center may be able to guide your loved ones if they need assistance in finding appropriate coping methods these days.
Medical professionals have been prescribing medication to mental health patients for years now; however, some medical professionals and counselors suggest healthy alternatives or complementary therapy for patients in need. Activities like exercise and meditation are some practices that may help patients release stress apart from taking their prescribed medication.
The Pandemic’s Effect on Mental Health
You owe it to yourself to take care of your own health and wellness. Dealing with the pandemic and its uncertainties has taken a toll on everyone’s physical and mental health. The prolonged quarantine period and isolation have led to adverse effects on people’s overall well-being.
Many people around the world have been experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness due to the current difficult situation. When not addressed immediately, these conditions are potentially fatal depending on your background, lifestyle, and personality. In general, these can lead to dark thoughts and self-harm if not treated.
Looking after our mental health is crucial in maintaining overall good health. People need to take care of their mental well-being so that they can function correctly.
Through the years, there have been numerous mental health advocates voicing out the truth about mental health conditions. They aim to eradicate the stigma surrounding these conditions to promote acceptance and understanding of people suffering from these illnesses. With these efforts, it is envisioned that people who silently suffer from mental health concerns can have the courage to consult a professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Coping with Mental Health Concerns
Coping with the effects of uncertainty and overwhelming stress requires a strong support system. Friends and loved ones should work towards helping one another through each other’s coping mechanisms.
Instead of indulging yourself with bad habits such as bingeing on junk food and sleeping late, there are healthy alternatives to cope with stress. Some methods include eating healthy foods, avoiding excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks, and making it a habit to take deep breaths regularly. These healthy methods can help improve your experience amid all the uncertainty today.
While these are good ideas to improve your current situation, consulting a medical professional should still be your priority. These professionals will be able to provide the right prescription depending on their diagnosis of your condition. If you or your loved ones have been experiencing negative thoughts these days, start scouting for medical professionals with whom you feel comfortable sharing your experiences.
Guiding Loved Ones Through Dark Times
Living in the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on plenty of new factors into our everyday lives that may have contributed to the increase of our stress levels. Stress management is a crucial part of staying emotionally and mentally healthy, especially during difficult times. Factors such as dealing with health issues and the adjustment period for remote workers may have led to the bottomless pit of dark thoughts. People need to learn how to cope with this negative energy to regain peace and calmness.
Stress can lead to many other health problems, such as the worsening of illnesses, the presence of nightmares, and the onset of physical symptoms such as stomach problems and headaches. High levels of stress may also lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression.
When talking to a loved one experiencing depressive symptoms, it’s crucial to emphasize your compassion and willingness to listen. Avoid dismissing their emotions by forcing them to “just be happy.” Instead, ask them how they think you could help in improving their situation.
These are not normal times that we currently live in. Showing empathy and compassion towards one another is the key to surviving this period of great uncertainty and fear. When depressive symptoms persist, gently urge your loved ones to consult with a medical professional to help them cope better with the situation.
