Mental Health During the Coronavirus
Dear Friends,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For nine years, Family Services of Davidson County (FSDC) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month by holding our annual Davidson Doozie 10k and 5k races during the month of May.
With our race, FSDC promotes mental health for individuals and families by having a time to get together for exercise, fellowship, healthy snacks and fun. The Davidson Doozie also encompasses altruism by having our participants run in honor of someone impacted by violence, trauma and mental illness.
Unfortunately, our Davidson Doozie was postponed by the onset of the Coronavirus and the increase diagnoses of COVID-19.
With the pandemic, we find ourselves questioning the tried and true methods of promoting mental health. How can we ensure we’re benefiting from a strong support system? How do we engage in rewarding activities? How are we lessening our focus on worrisome issues? How do we make certain we don’t self-isolate? And, how do we involve ourselves in causes that help us recognize our importance in our community? All of these crucial actions help the development and sustainment of our mental health.
So, what now? Do we surrender to the fact that COVID-19 will end tried and true activities that promote mental wellness? Do we create new methods for developing protective factors for our mental health? Do we ignore that our lives have been ever changed by this pandemic?
Through the years of practicing, I have often stated that crisis provides opportunity. Easy to say but very hard to recognize and accept. As healthy human beings, we don’t say “I need a crisis so I can discover an opportunity.”! But change is often preceded by challenge.
We are faced with the challenge of discovering new methods of maintaining our mental health while we fold in the techniques that we know work. Mental and physical wellbeing start with doing the simple things that have the greatest impact.
First, the simple things. Are you staying hydrated? Make certain that you’re not skipping healthy meals and snacks. Protect your down time and maintain healthy sleep habits. Engage in an activity that brings joy, and get your body moving. These can be practiced while also following the CDC guidelines for social distancing and good hygiene.
Next, let’s find ways to revive our support system. Contact now is more likely to be social media but is still important. A lost art that I would recommend is letter writing. I know, there’s emails, texts, Instagram and Facebook posts are the new normal. But, there’s something about putting pen to paper and sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone in your support group. Give it a try!
Do find a way to physically connect. We’ve seen many instances of drive through waves and seeing friends and family through a glass door or window. Not optimal but an option. Have get togethers in which you can ensure 6 feet distancing (picnics in a large area). There is something that happens when we connect by looking into the eyes of those who you care about and who care about you.
Practice a letting go technique. Worry robs us of energy that is needed for other necessary battles. Find an activity such as deep breathing, meditation, prayer or yoga. These techniques can help with getting you centered when worry creates being disjointed and keeps our mind spinning. Yep, there’s an app for these techniques so enjoy your search.
Set aside time to address the negative impact of this pandemic. Consider journaling, which allows you to get these feeling out by recording how this new normal has totally rearranged our experiences and plans. Journaling also provides a chance to express the frustration and fear that we often want to hide.
Lastly, we do have the capacity to heal and also thrive. This will not be the only experience we’ll have that speaks to our not being in control. However, we can take charge of things within our ability to change. Celebrate the choices we discover are ours to make and let go of things that we really never had control of anyway.
Blessings and warm regards,
Tim Tilley
