COVID Mental Trauma: 6 Steps to Protecting Yourself

2/20/2021

According to the Washington Post, “Nearly half of Americans report the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll. A federal emergency hotline for people in emotional distress registered a more than 1,000 percent increase in April compared with the same time last year. Last month, roughly 20,000 people texted that hotline, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.”

It’s terrifying to realize a pandemic such as a coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading worldwide. The different stages of a pandemic can provide panic and anxiety. No one knows just how widespread or deadly the novel coronavirus will end up being.

Feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty are normal emotions during a difficult situation such as the world is currently experiencing. But being proactive about your mental health can help to keep your mind and body healthy. In the following information, we have detailed information on ways to protect yourself.

One of the first steps you can take is to recognize the things you can control. You are practicing self-care, such as seeking professional help from a licensed mental health professional and finding ways to manage stress. Your means of coping with stress and anxiety go a long way in managing your mental health. Here are some ways to help you ease the tension surrounding COVID-19.

Practice Good Self-Care

Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in some form of exercise are always reasonable steps to helping you stay as physically and psychologically fit as possible during stressful times.

Good self-care also keeps your immune system healthy, which means eating well, sleeping well, and managing stress.

Piece Of Mind

Practice recommendations from the Centers For Disease Control, The World Health Organization, and other excerpts to curtail transmission of Covid include wearing a mask when going out, keeping at least a 6-foot distance from others, and washing your hands regularly.
If you live in an area where the Covid infection rates are very high, try to stay home as much as possible, and when do you go out to practice the methods of safety detailed above. There are always steps you can take to decrease risk. Be aware that steps like washing your hands, wearing a mask, and keeping social distance remind you to focus on the things you can control.
Knowing you are doing everything possible to keep yourself and your family safe gives a lot of peace of mind.

Professional Help

If your mental health is being affected by the stress and anxiety of COVID-19, you may need to seek the help of mental health professional. A licensed mental health professional can help you manage stress while allowing you to make the best decisions for yourself and your family. The good news is thousands of therapists are now using remote methods, such as video conferencing, so you can talk to someone right from home.

High anxiety and stress can cause some people to adopt unproven or unsafe prevention methods. Some of these methods can be harmful to yourself and others. It’s essential to make sure any actions you take are genuinely beneficial.

Develop An Action Plan

Be aware that increased depression and anxiety are probably going to occur. So, plan for it. When you start to feel sad, overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious, talk with someone, write about it, just get it out, do not let it fester inside of you. Be prepared and make a plan. Who will I talk to? Keep a notebook handy for journaling.

Another critical issue is that children often adopt the coping strategies they observe in their parents. Parents who show anxiety and stress during a pandemic may end up projecting the fear right along to their loved ones.

Read News From Trustworthy Sources And Limit Media Consumption

Avoid media outlets that provoke stress or focus on issues that we can’t control. Instead, turn to sources that give reliable information. One reputable source is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They provide helpful tips to keep you and your family safe during these unprecedented times.

Watching media stories about how fast an illness is spreading or the death toll will increase stress and anxiety. Limit your media consumption to a specific time frame or a certain number of stories.
It is helpful to stay informed, but you shouldn't allow yourself to be bombarded with anxiety-provoking news all day. The most important actions are to keep you and your loved ones as adequately informed, calm, and healthy as possible.

Watch this Video

COVID and PTSD

Remember one thing, and humans are strong; we will get through this. It is not forever, and most importantly, do not project what has not yet happened. If you are healthy and safe, don’t worry about what might happen, stay in the moment, and enjoy the present.

Have you been feeling like your life is spiraling out of control?

It’s not uncommon for people to feel this way, especially through a difficult time just like now with COVID around. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways to protect yourself against the mental trauma that it brings and get back on track again.

You deserve happiness and peace of mind in your life, so don't wait any longer! Contact me today to learn how I can help you find balance and stability in your life. I will work with you one-on-one or as part of a group setting to create an individualized plan tailored just for you!

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