You and Your Mental Health

YOU AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
By Comfort Umoren-Olorunnisomo
Photo credit: Gorilla-gym
Corona virus (Covid-19) has affected every aspect of human life ranging from economy to education to health to politics to social and religious activities and others. This is especially because of the restriction of movement across the nations of the earth to curtail the spread of the virus. Adding to the fear of contracting the virus is the constant and inevitable barrage of the increasing figures of death and new cases across local and international media, traditional and new media platforms. In some places, hunger and robbery attacks are additional baggage people may have to bear. Also, those, who all their lives have had to move from one place to the other, mingle and engage in outdoor activities, may be feeling out of place staying indoors for such a long and unprojected period. All of these have a way of affecting us psychologically, creating fear, depression and despair, thereby, making our mental health a huge concern during this period.
Photo credit: Johnlocke
One way to take care of your mental health is to take care of yourself. A psychotherapist, Pamela Roberts (2020) opines that this can be achieved by keeping a clean environment void of illness-causing germs, eating lots of fruits and veggies, sleeping and exercising. Ensure your environment is clean, well ventilated and comfortable. Studies have shown that the predictability of cleaning not only offers a sense of control in the face of uncertainty, but also offers your mind, body and soul respite from traumatic stress (Trauma-Informed Care). Also, medical experts encourage building one’s immune system against the virus. Eat healthy and stay healthy with citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, lemon, limes, avocado pear and grapefruit), ginger, garlic, turmeric, broccoli, spinach, red bell pepper, poultry (chicken and eggs), sea foods (crabs and lobsters), green tea, yogurt, sweet potatoes and a whole lot of others. Stock these according to your budget.
Additionally, Exercising can be tiring but it does improve mental and physical well-being. Engaging in simple exercises such as yoga, walking, jogging and others can help stretch your muscles, burn fats and keep the heart pumping. If you need help with it, surf the internet for possible and suitable fitness activities that matches your age and body build. Keep a routine and adhere strictly to it. You might also want to go for a walk to feel nature - natural sunlight and breeze and feed your eyes a little. This helps to reduce anxiety and depression. Environmental Research in Forbes (2020) submits that people who spend time in nature have greater activity of immune cells called the natural killer cells.
Photo credit: Hobby-promo-jumbo
During this period, it is ok to watch movies, write down things no matter how trivial or serious (stories, poems, events, ideas, experiences), chat with friends and loved ones and play indoor/outdoor games while still maintaining the social distancing and lockdown order among others. At the beginning of the year, most of us had great plans and expectations of things we what to achieve and even though the lockdown has somewhat changed or slowed down these expectations, allow yourself to be distracted sometimes, and rest well. Great ideas often come when we rest/play. Don’t be uptight and too serious all the time as this would only affect your mental health negatively. Take a break too from the many sad news from the media, listen to music, read a book, try out a craft or a dance off the fear and stress and meditate on better days ahead. It is also ok to feel like meditating and pouring out your fears/worries/heart to God in prayer. It is not out of place to also feel like not doing anything, in times like this, just indulge yourself.
If you have tried all of the above suggestions and have talked to someone you trust about your mental health and it is not helping, please, seek professional. When it seems like you can no longer handle the situation or you sense you are not doing well mentally, contact a psychologist or a doctor for help. Check online for professionals.
Stay healthy and stay safe!

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