How to Maintain Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus is a deadly infectious disease that has made its way to every corner of the globe. It wasn’t since the Spanish flu in the early 1900s where the world has seen such a deadly outbreak sweep over the world. Even with advanced technology compared to that of a century ago, finding a vaccine is proving difficult, which makes putting an end to this outbreak a challenge.

With that said, we don’t know when life will turn back to normal, and when we can go to work again or visit our families. This uncertainty can easily lead to mental health crises fueled by stress and anxiety. With stay-at-home orders in place for the near future, it can be hard to cope with the current state of affairs. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways you can maintain and strengthen your mental health during the COVID-10 pandemic. Take a look!

Take natural supplements

People part of the LGBTQ community during COVID-19 are more susceptible to mental health issues due to discrimination and stigma they may have encountered throughout their life. Being in quarantine is more dangerous for people suffering from mental health disorders because they may not be able to get the help they need.

If you’re struggling with a mental health disorder like depression or anxiety, consider taking natural supplements that can help you feel calm and ease your mind. There are a variety of natural remedies you can try, including:

• Herbal teas, such as chamomile and lavender, can help you sleep better and reduce symptoms of moderate-to-severe generalized anxiety disorder.
• CBD, which has many proven benefits, including the ability to reduce stress. Companies like CBDfx offer a variety of CBD products to choose from that can lower signs of anxiety, such as increased heart rates and insomnia. You can even consider giving CBD oil to your dog if your furry friend is getting anxious from being stuck inside all day.
• Vitamin D is a great natural supplement to help maintain your mental health. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to people suffering from depression, and with stay-at-home orders in place, getting sun exposure can be difficult. If you’re cooped up inside all day, consider taking a daily Vitamin D supplement.
• Magnesium: Magnesium has many wonderful benefits. It has the potential to relieve muscle tension, migraines, headaches, and anxiety. It may be wise to take a magnesium deficiency test before deciding to take any supplements.

Exercise

There are many studies that show exercise is a great treatment to fight depression and other mental health diseases. Exercise has many proven benefits, such as protecting against diabetes and heart disease, improving sleep, and lowering blood pressure. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are the “feel good” hormones that give you that runner’s high after a tough workout.

During the coronavirus pandemic, getting exercise can be difficult, especially with gyms, fitness classes, and studios closed. However, there are plenty of ways you can get healthy and squeeze in your recommended 30 minutes to 1 hour of physical activity per day.

• Running: Going for a run is an easy way to get out of the house, get some sun, and breathe in fresh air. All you need is some running shoes and athletic clothes, and you’ll be good to go. While you run, make sure to maintain a six-foot distance from other pedestrians to maintain social distance, and wear a mask, especially if you’re running in a populated area like a city. To get motivated for your runs, you can link your smartwatch with a running website like Strava or MapMyRun and create virtual challenges with your friends.
• Virtual classes: Many industries are transitioning to remote work, including gyms and fitness classes. There are plenty of virtual fitness classes you can sign up for and complete in your own home. All you need is a yoga mat and maybe a few dumbbells, and you should be good to go. From HIIT workouts to core exercises, you can find whatever activities you’d like to do with an online trainer.

Listen to music

Another great remedy to ease anxiety is by listening to music. Numerous research studies have found that music soothes anxiety, can reduce pain, and has a positive effect on the human stress response. The best part, you can access music anywhere, whether on your phone, laptop, tablet, or virtual assistant. Whenever you’re feeling stressed or anxious, find a relaxing playlist that you can listen to that can ease your mind and help you feel at ease.

Wrapping up

These unprecedented times are challenging for people from all walks of life. If you’re suffering from mental health issues, it’s important to take action to live a healthier lifestyle. While these options are an abbreviated list for maintaining mental health, they serve as great stepping stones for reducing stress and anxiety. As always, if you’re suffering from a severe mental health crisis, seek help from an online therapist or mental health professional to get the treatment you need.