As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, what we thought would be a few weeks of social distancing has turned into months.
People are now experiencing a greater sense of isolation coupled with feelings of uncertainty about when the pandemic will end and the fear of getting infected—never mind anxiety about the economic downturn and potential for job loss or business failure. Yes, every aspect of our lives has been affected, and social distancing and isolation have become our new normal.
For some, mental health issues derive from a genetic influence. However, for many people, mental health issues arise in response to environmental factors. COVID-19 has created a set of unique environmental stressors which suggest that many people have become vulnerable to developing some type of mental health disorder. This could not only affect people in the present moment but also once social isolation ends and the time comes to re-engage with society.
Feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty are normal during a time like this. By being proactive about your physical and mental health, you can help keep your body and mind stronger. Here are a few ways to take care of yourself:
Taking care of your physical body:
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- Get plenty of sleep. Try to stick to your regular daily schedule, even if you are staying at home—and make sure that you are getting enough sleep.
- Get plenty of sleep. Try to stick to your regular daily schedule, even if you are staying at home—and make sure that you are getting enough sleep.
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- Exercise. Regular exercise can help reduce anxiety and improve mood. Get your body moving for at least 20 minutes per day. There are plenty of free exercise programs online for you to do at home, and there is always the great outdoors!
- Exercise. Regular exercise can help reduce anxiety and improve mood. Get your body moving for at least 20 minutes per day. There are plenty of free exercise programs online for you to do at home, and there is always the great outdoors!
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- Eat healthy. Make sure to eat a diet balanced with fruits, vegetables, and good sources of protein. Consuming caffeine and processed foods can aggravate stress and anxiety, and should be limited.
- Eat healthy. Make sure to eat a diet balanced with fruits, vegetables, and good sources of protein. Consuming caffeine and processed foods can aggravate stress and anxiety, and should be limited.
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- Relax. Take time for yourself to recharge. Whatever technique will work for you, such as reading a book, meditating, or tending to a garden, etc. Make sure to carve time out of each day to help quiet your mind and reduce your anxiety and stress.
- Relax. Take time for yourself to recharge. Whatever technique will work for you, such as reading a book, meditating, or tending to a garden, etc. Make sure to carve time out of each day to help quiet your mind and reduce your anxiety and stress.
Taking care of your mind and spirit:
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- Reframe the situation. Instead of viewing this situation as if you are “stuck at home,” think of it as an opportunity to refocus your attention. Tackle long avoided tasks. Reorganize, or get creative. By being productive you can focus on the things that are important to you, which can lead to a more positive attitude.
- Reframe the situation. Instead of viewing this situation as if you are “stuck at home,” think of it as an opportunity to refocus your attention. Tackle long avoided tasks. Reorganize, or get creative. By being productive you can focus on the things that are important to you, which can lead to a more positive attitude.
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- Maintain a normal routine. It can be tempting to fall into a lethargic pattern, but that will only lead to negative thinking. Try sticking to a pre-COVID-19 schedule including sleep, meals, and exercise. This will help keep you active and less likely to spiral out of control. It will also be easier to readjust once things get back to normal.
- Maintain a normal routine. It can be tempting to fall into a lethargic pattern, but that will only lead to negative thinking. Try sticking to a pre-COVID-19 schedule including sleep, meals, and exercise. This will help keep you active and less likely to spiral out of control. It will also be easier to readjust once things get back to normal.
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- Limit media exposure. Being at home probably affords a lot of free time to obsess over the endless media coverage surrounding COVID-19. This can create heightened (and unnecessary) fear and anxiety. To keep yourself informed—but also limit your exposure—set designated times to catch up on the latest news, and make sure you are looking at reliable sources.
- Limit media exposure. Being at home probably affords a lot of free time to obsess over the endless media coverage surrounding COVID-19. This can create heightened (and unnecessary) fear and anxiety. To keep yourself informed—but also limit your exposure—set designated times to catch up on the latest news, and make sure you are looking at reliable sources.
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- Stay connected. Just because we need to practice social distancing and isolation does not mean we need to be completely void of communication with others. Find time each day to make virtual connections via text, email, or video chats. Stay in touch with family and friends—we are all in this together!
- Stay connected. Just because we need to practice social distancing and isolation does not mean we need to be completely void of communication with others. Find time each day to make virtual connections via text, email, or video chats. Stay in touch with family and friends—we are all in this together!
If your feelings of anxiety and depression become unmanageable, consider using Telehealth services to speak with a professional counselor or psychotherapist. Many licensed mental health professions are using HIPAA-compliant video chat platforms to make sure they are available for anyone who needs help during this difficult time.
If you need more help than what virtual counseling is able to provide, please contact our ketamine clinic to find out if you are a candidate for ketamine infusions. We are open and offering a limited number of appointments, taking extra precautions to keep our patients and staff safe. Contact us today to learn more about ketamine infusions, and to find out if you’re a candidate.
Contact Vitalitas Denver
Vitalitas Denver operates some of Colorado’s leading ketamine treatment centers, with clinics located in the Denver and Boulder/Fort Collins areas. If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder—if you have tried everything, and nothing has worked—please contact us to learn more about ketamine infusions for the treatment of depression and anxiety.
