Coping with Mental Health and COVID-19 (STILL)

COVID-19 is still impacting our daily lives, more than 5 months after we first learned of its viral spread. While we are all doing our part to social distance, wear masks, and stay safer at home, the impacts of these actions and the general stress about how and when this pandemic might loosen its grip are still wreaking havoc on our overall mental health.

So, while this week’s topic may feel like a repeat, it bears the repeated effort. We must prioritize self-care and mental health so we can weather this viral storm with our hearts and minds intact.

Our friends at Rehab4Addiction reached out to share some resources that apply even outside of the realm of addiction and mental health and we are glad to share that information with you today. Their focus is in explaining how icrucial it is for people with pre-existing medical conditions to manage and track their mental health. We’ll add that, in the cancer world, it is widely recognized that chronic stress contributes to an unhealthy physical environment, at the cellular level. Chronic stress leads to chronic inflammation which, in turn, presents the ideal environment for cell damage that can lead to tumor growth. Essentially, It is important to take care of your mental health as much as it is to take care of your physical self.

According to Rehab4Addiction, there are lots of indications of mental stress. Indeed, you might be noticing these issues pop up more frequently as time wears on in this “new normal.” Symptoms include:

• Increased Anxiety

• Stress

• Irritation

• Insecurity

• Aches

• Sleeping Troubles

• Helplessness

These are all natural feelings especially during such uncertain times and they can occur to people at all ages. One important step you can take to feel better: acknowledge the feelings.

Our friends at ARK Behavioral Health point out that sources of stress caused or exacerbated by the pandemic include:

• housing instability

• changes in employment

• economic insecurity

• grief/loss

• domestic abuse

• being an essential worker (or worrying about a loved one who is)

• being high-risk for COVID-19 complications

• substance use/mental health relapse

• severed access to medical and behavioral health services

• reduced social support

• living alone

• uncertainty of the pandemic timeline

• returning to school or work (for yourself or loved ones)

• increased attention towards germs/spreading disease

Another step you can take to help deal with these challenges? Take control of the actions you can control, for instance:

1. Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds. When not able to wash your hands use hand sanitizer.

2. Stay at home if you are sick.

3. Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth and nose.

4. Disinfect doorknobs, switches, or any other part of your house that may carry the virus.

5. Design a plan with your family. Try to isolate yourselves from your neighbors and peers as much as possible. Prepare for isolation for potential ill members.

6. Wear your masks and face coverings.

7. Protect the elderly.

Taking these steps can help reduce some of the anxiety and stress you may be feeling as a result of COVID-19. So, while they are effective for minimizing your exposure to the virus, they also help to minimize the impact to your mental health!

Here are some things to consider when you are planning for COVID-19

• Find somewhere safe to stay. Staying at home isn’t always ideal but it is the best decision for you, your family/loved ones, and others.

• Eat and drink enough and choose nourishing foods. It is crucial to stay on top of your nutrition at this time. This can help ensure you are staying healthy and avoiding getting sick.

• Keep taking your medications. Continue taking your medications on time and consulting with your doctor for the best treatment plan for you.

• Continue with your treatment and support. Continue to talk with your doctors in order to follow the course of your treatment. There are a number of ways to stay in contact with your doctor without actually having to go to the doctor’s office. This can be done by video chat, phone calls, or online.

---

Related Resources:

For more information on substance abuse and mental health in the age of Covid-19, try this out.

For statistics on mental health, drug abuse, and Covid-19 and for preventative resources, check out to Ark Behavioral Health.