The coronavirus pandemic has managed to bring the entire world to its knees. As of April 17, 2020, almost 2.2 million people had been infected by the virus, with over 148,000 fatalities, according to information presented by Worldometer. But that’s not all. The disease has put a halt on international travel, companies and industries have shut down and schools across the globe are closed.
Being cooped up at home 24/7 can be overwhelming. In these volatile times, it is common to see people struggle with depression and anxiety. But just because you cannot get out of your home, does not mean there is no way to deal with such mental health conditions. Here are some tips to help you deal with depression during the lockdown period.
Stay Connected
It is vital that you maintain social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19. But that does not mean you cannot interact with your friends and family over the phone or the internet. During such times of uncertainty, staying connected with your loved ones, via video calls, messages or phone calls, can be great for your mental health.
Online Therapy
It is unsafe to go out, but you can still seek help when things get tough. Many health professionals provide online therapy sessions that you can access without needing to step out of your home, according to experts at the Institute of Personal Growth. These online sessions are conducted using a securely encrypted, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform, to ensure privacy and security.
Stay Healthy
Another great tip for dealing with depression is to maintain your physical health. Try to maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet. Also, try to limit your alcohol intake. During times of great turmoil, it has been found that alcohol usage increases, according to an article published by the American Psychological Association. Unfortunately, alcohol not only affects your liver, it also impacts the nervous system. This makes you more prone to depression, anxiety and stress. It is also a good idea to exercise daily. Even if you cannot go to the gym, 15 minutes of cardio can go a long way in tacking depression.
Don’t Obsess
It is a good idea to keep yourself informed about what’s going on around you, and what you can do to ensure your safety. But be sure to only access information from reliable sources, such as the CDC, WHO and other government bodies. At the same time, try to limit how many times you check for news and information. Continuously seeking the latest information on the coronavirus could quickly spiral into an obsessive cycle. This would increase anxiety, stress and depression.
These are stressful times. Therefore, it is important to remember that with the right help you can get through the current crisis too.