Managing your mental wellbeing during COVID-19

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a range of notable changes for the way many of us live our lives including how we view and manage mental health.

It is important to manage your mental health at any stage of your life, and take care of your overall wellbeing. However, with restrictions challenging many of us, mental health and wellness has been highlighted.

Managing mental wellbeing

Managing your own wellness and putting strategies into place can help to enhance your wellbeing and manage your mental health is essential.

Ease in

Be patient with yourself (and others), understanding that it will probably take some time to find a new rhythm when restrictions ease or change over time. It’s okay to take it slow and be patient with yourself as you get used to the changes. Don’t feel like you have to rush out and visit family and friends immediately simply because you can — you can adjust to life in your own time.

Prioritise self-care

Taking care of ourselves is essential when it comes to managing mental health. Focus on practicing self-care, including regular exercise, adequate quality sleep and eating healthy foods. Aiming to incorporate these three things into your day can go a long way to support your wellbeing. Create a daily schedule so that caring for your mental wellbeing becomes part of your routine.

Eating a poor diet supplemented with alcohol is probably not the best recipe. We all need a diet which is rich in vitamins and minerals  which will help you to build up your depleted immune system. Evidence suggests that gut health is linked to mental health – so eating good foods will help. Remember to get a little sunshine each day for some vitamin D.

Practice meditation

Feeling cynical and angry is normal when you’re a bit down or depressed but it doesn’t have to be like this. The practice of mindfulness  – simply being aware of the present – and meditation – quieting your mind – has been proven to help with anxiety, stress and depression and are worth looking into.

Also, where you can, try to think positively and envisage a better future for yourself. Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who can help you maintain a positive outlook on life. It’s likely that you will need regularly reminding that this state isn’t permanent and that you will beat it.

Find time for nature

Seeking out green space, such as being outside in nature, has proven benefits for mental health. This goes for children too. From lessened depression symptoms to reduced anxiety and lower stress levels, natural environments can have a powerful impact. There is even evidence to support the wellbeing benefits of having plants within your indoor spaces!

Do things you enjoy

Carve out time to pursue the things that make you happy. Perhaps it’s playing a musical instrument, doing yoga, reading, photography, playing videogames or simply just enjoying a simple cup of tea — whatever makes you feel good. Allowing space for yourself can lift your mood and give you a much-deserved break.

Seek out support

Talking therapies, such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural coaching have considerable research proving they have a very positive effect. Help is available if you need it. If your mental health is suffering, chat to your doctor about a mental health plan. There are also a number of organisations who can help to support you in managing your mental health and wellbeing during this difficult time:

• • Lifeline Australia –  Provide access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
    Website: www.lifeline.org.au Telephone: 13 11 14

• • Beyond Blue – Provides information, and support for depression, anxiety and suicide prevention.
    Website: www.beyondblue.org.au Telephone: 1300 224 636

• • Headspace – Provides young people with information and resources on mental health, physical health, work and study support, and alcohol and other drug services.
    Website: www.headspace.org.au Telephone: 1800 650 890

• • 1800 Respect – Provides 24 hour support to people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
    Website: www.1800respect.org.au Telephone: 1800 737 732

• • Mindspot – Provides free effective internet delivered psychological assessment and treatment for stress, anxiety, worry, depression, low mood, OCD and trauma (PTSD).
    Website: www.mindspot.org.au Telephone: 1800 614 434

• • Kids Helpline – Provides private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
    Website: www.kidshelpline.com.au Telephone: 1800 55 1800

• • National Debt Helpline – Helps people tackle their debt problems.
    Website: www.ndh.org.au Telephone: 1800 007 007

• • National Coronavirus Helpline – Provides information and advice about COVID-19.
    Website: www.health.gov.au/contacts/national-coronavirus-helpline Telephone: 1800 020 080

 

For information about additional organisations, resources, and online mental wellbeing apps, please visit our mental health resources page for contact details.

 

Practical Outcomes is dedicated to supporting our learners and early childhood education clients. For more information, contact us today.