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Over the course of the last couple of months, there’s been a HUGE shift in focus on how to look after your mental health during this stressful, unprecedented time we’re all living in right now. COVID-19 and lockdown was something none of us expected. Yet we WERE all expected to deal with it. Because hey, we had no other choice.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
But as time goes on, we’re edging closer and closer to getting back to normal. Albeit, perhaps a new type of normal. But normal nonetheless. With children going back to school. Adults going back to work. Shops, bars and restaurants opening again. And daily responsibilities are back on the to-do list.
So as soon as we all had to adapt to this new way of life in lockdown, it’s time to re-adapt back to how it was before. It’s a big ask. It’s a big thing to have to go through. It’s not normal. And it’s going to affect a lot of people, in a lot of different ways.
So I think it’s important to take some time to discuss measures we can take in order to look after our mental health when all this is over. When COVID-19 is said and done and the world continues on as if nothing ever happened.
But of course that’s not going to be the case. For those who have lost someone through this awful virus. For those who lost their jobs. For those who struggled with money. For the doctors and the nurses on the front-line. AND for those of us who perhaps don’t fall into one of those categories.
Because living through a global pandemic is a seriously mentally draining thing.
So before we get into the tips, let’s just take a moment to give ourselves a pat on the back and a moment of gratitude for getting through this tough season of life. Well, it’s not the end just yet but you’ve made it this far and that deserves a celebration in itself.
Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
Seek help if you need it
There would be absolutely no shame in admitting that you might need extra help dealing with what you’ve just been through. So I urge you to seek help if you need it. Discuss therapy with your GP or contact the mental health services in your area directly. If you need to talk to an unbiased individual quickly, then I’d recommend calling The Samaritans.
Related read: Does CBD Oil Help Anxiety
Lean on your faith and beliefs
Whatever you believe and wherever your faith lies, now might be a good time to lean on it more than ever. If your faith is there for guidance then chances are, you’re probably going to be a bit of extra guidance right now. I don’t talk about faith or belief much here and I won’t go into detail. But I believe heavily in the universe and Law of Attraction (as well as other things) and I’ve been putting a LOT of focus into that during this time.
There are plenty of things you can do and buy in order to help in this instance. If you go to church, then perhaps attending more regularly might benefit you. If you believe in the power of crystal healing, perhaps now is the time to invest in some new crystals.
Talk about how you’re feeling
Your friends and family have been through the same thing that you have. And although naturally, we all have different experiences, it’s not very often we can all collectively discuss having been through the same thing. So when it’s completely safe to meet up with friends and family, ensure you nourish those connections and talk to each other about how you’re feeling. Because now is a time to be there for each other.
Ease back in slowly
Although it’s likely that lockdown measures around the world will ease gradually, it’s still important to ease yourself back into a normal routine slowly and gentle, if you feel like you need to. I’d say after months of lockdown, a lot of us are getting pretty used to spending every day at home!
Don’t try and do everything, all at once
And when things do start opening again and we ARE free to do as we please and go wherever we want, it might be useful to remind yourself that you don’t have to do everything at once. We’re all going to have a lot of travel plans when this is over but you DON’T have to go and do it all in the shortest space of time. It’s okay to heal first.
Continue to work on your self care daily
And finally, continue to use those self care practices that you built up over the time in lockdown on a daily basis. Self care works all the time – not just during a global pandemic! And I’m sure a lot of us have built up a lot of great self care practices and rituals during this time at home. So utilize what you’ve learnt, let go of what didn’t work and build up a stronger self care practice than ever!
How are you planning on looking after your mental health when all this is over? Are you worried about going back to normal fully? Let me know!
