Coronavirus: Protecting your Mental Health is just as important

Coronavirus pandemic has health implications beyond the impact of the virus. Taking measures to protect your mental health in times of crisis is as important as protecting against the disaster.

Everone reacts (or responds) to crisis differently. It is therefore imperative we look out for each other safely, show empathy and be considerate of how others are behaving.

Here are some quick practical steps:

Stay informed but don’t become obsessive

In order to avoid or limit anxiety, worry and fear, limit how many times you check the news. Get your news from reputable sources. Do not become a Coronavirus news analyst. Try not to speculate either.

Avoid Social Media groups that pass on fake news!

Mute Social Media groups that may be passing on fake news about Coronavirus.

Even if they quote a source, check the main website of the source to validate what you are reading.

It is important to do this to avoid panic attacks. And also misleading information that cause more harm than good.

Know your Triggers and continue Medication

Do not excessively wash your hands. Many sources advice is to wash hands for 20 seconds twice . Or while singing happy birthday song.

Watch this NHS video on how to wash hands

OCD patients, please watch out for triggers with excessive hand washing.

People with pre existing mental illness should continue their medication. Watch out for symptoms.

Coronavirus: Self isolation and Quarantine steps

Get support. Ring the relevant helplines in your country. It is important not to isolate yourself by not maintaining any form of contact.

Remember being in self isolation or quarantine, does not mean isolating on social media. Call friends and family.

Do not banish yourself from society as an outcast. Join online worship services if your place of worship is closed

Avoid getting bored if you are in self isolation or quarantine. Find a hobby. Do something you have put off for ages. Get your mind active positively!

Try and rest as much as possible too. Take care of your body. Eat healthily. Avoid any form of addiction habits especially alcohol, drugs and smoking.

Lastly…

Be positive. This virus will end. Most people develop mild symptoms. Stay calm.

You got to think positive. Avoid all forms of negativity which in itself may cause you to be irrational.

See this experience as something that something positive can come out of in spite of all the negatives.

Crisis always forces development. Crisis is an opportunity for change.

About The Author

Zoe

Zoe met Eze (Chuck) in the 14th year of what turned out to be an 18 year ‘journey’ with mental illness. They got married less than a year of meeting with Zoe fully knowing Chuck had a diagnosis of mental illness. In the 18th year, Chuck defied the odds of mental illness. A consultant psychiatrist signed him off the mental health system with a bill of NO MENTAL ILLNESS. The consultant was so amazed by Chuck’s astonishing recovery that he even questioned how Chuck was diagnosed with mental illness all those years before, in the first place! Today Chuck is free from medication, its dependency and hospitalizations. Zoe’s award nominated book, DEFYING THE ODDS, chronicles the highs and ‘lows’ of this journey. Zoe, often writing from the standpoint of a caregiver, clearly understands that mental illness does not only affect an individual challenged with the disease, but also families, marriages and society as a whole.

See author's posts