Your mental health is really important, especially now with everything going on with COVID. Back in 2020 when the quarantine first started, people really struggled with how to deal with everything because it was different and no one knew what to do or what was really going on. Everything was so unknown to everyone, which caused stress, depression, anxiety and many other disorders. In an article written by the Mayo Clinic Staff, they stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic may have brought many changes to how you live your life, and with it, at times, uncertainty, altered daily routines, financial pressures and social isolation. You may worry about getting sick, how long the pandemic will last, whether your job will be affected and what the future will bring. Information overload, rumors and misinformation can make your life feel out of control and make it unclear what to do. During the COVID-19 pandemic, you may experience stress, anxiety, fear, sadness and loneliness. Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, can worsen.” People are still suffering from the effects of the 2020 quarantine. A lot of people already struggled with their mental health before the pandemic but the pandmeic only made it worse. There are different ways for people to improve and work on their mental health. Everyone has a different way of coping and dealing with things. Three ways that can help are to keep active, eat well, and do things that you like.
Keeping active. Exercising not only keeps your body healthy but it can also help with people’s mental health. Exercising and going to the gym are not the only ways to keep you active. Taking walks at the park, housework, gardening and other things keep you active as well. In the same article mentioned above, the authors state, “Experts believe exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep and feel better.” Keeping active is one of the ways that helps me with my mental health and I know it helps a lot of other people as well. Going to the gym and working out distracts your mind and keeps you concentrated on one thing which can help in a lot of cases because most of the time people are stressed and have so much going on in their heads.
Eating well. Eating the right foods can also help. Be cautious of what foods you put in your body. The Mayo Clinic article states, “But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health. Your brain needs a mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.” If you eat healthy and put the right foods in your body, you can have better energy and feel better in general. Eat at least three meals a day every day and drink lots of water. It might not seem like it but the food you eat not only affects your physical health but also your mental health and it’s important to keep that in mind when eating. Occasionally eating unhealthy can be good too but not overdoing it is what’s hard for people. Eating ice cream every now and then or eating fast food once in a while is not going to hurt you. Be mindful of what you put in your body when it comes to food.
Doing things you like. No matter what or how small it is, do something that’s enjoyable for you at least a couple times a week. The Mayo Clinic article states, “Concentrating on a hobby like gardening or the crossword can help you forget your worries for a while and change your mood.” Things like reading, cleaning, taking a walk, watching your favorite movie can help distract you and give your mind a break for a while since you are doing something you love. It gives you a chance to just be you and enjoy yourself without having to worry about other people or things that are on your mind. No matter how hard, stressful, or overwhelming things get, always remember to make time for yourself and do things that you enjoy. These are only a few of the ways that can help with your mental health and there are many more different ways if these don’t work for you.