The outbreak is a stressful situation we are facing now. It can take a toll on our mental well-being. With the uncertainty over when the pandemic will end, we can’t continuously delay our own mental and emotional needs. Sometimes, our own unattended needs will compromise our ability to be caring. Taking care of others and ourselves will require us how to learn during this season of the outbreak. Here are some ways on how you can take to make sure you are properly attending to your own needs so that you can, in turn, attend to the needs of others;
- Take The Needed Steps To Protect Yourself And Others
It is recommended to stay informed but avoid overexposure to the news that might cause you to feel distressed or anxious. You can take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.
- Accept That You Need To Cope
You cannot cope with problems that you are unwilling to accept that you have. You might have your language denial. Others could have legitimate needs, and you can also have it. Never let your denial become the burden of others.
- Be Watchful On How You Compensate For Your Lack Of Control
You are just human if you look for confidence and some aspect of control in the middle of a rapidly-changing situation. Several people compensate by vigilant micromanagement and others through helpless surrender or disengagement.
- Stay In The Present Moment
Anxiety is reflected in a mind that is continuously oriented in the future. Depression is reflected in a mind that is continuously oriented to the past. Staying in the present moment ensures that the burdens we carry today are just today’s burdens.
- Take Care Of Your Body
Establish regular exercise, meals, and eat healthily. Spend time outside and breathe deeply. Get plenty of sleep and avoid persistent physical or mental activities as you approach bedtime. Limit or, if possible, avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Distract Yourself In Moments Of Acute Distress
Splash your face with cold water while holding your breath. You can also press the area between your eyebrows with a cold pack. You can engage in an intense exercise, and after, you watch your favorite comedy on YouTube or Netflix. While you are doing it, enjoy your favorite snack or your own-cooked cookies.
- Stay Connected
Stay connected with your family or friends and reach out for support. Keep in touch with them because it is recommended that one of the most powerful predictors of resilience is social support. It will help you recover from the face of emotionally distressful situations. It will also remind you that others care for you and you are not alone. Social support might be emotional, formal, and informal. All of this is helpful at any given point. We might find ourselves needing one from more than another. We need to stay connected, and let’s help each other fight the battle, not just physically but also emotionally/mentally.
