Different mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and stress have spiked in the last few months due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and racial tensions. People have been looking for and researching a diverse group of resources and tools to help them manage their mental health. From my professional experience, I would like to share with you how to manage your mental health during these difficult times.
Seeking Therapy
In terms of empirical evidence, there has been an increase in the number of people seeking therapy. I believe this has been one of the best options both for patients to prioritize this aspect of their health and for therapists in terms of getting business. This time has uniquely presented the opportunity to destigmatize mental illness because so many people have identified stress, anxiety, and anguish. This comes from doing a lot of things at the same time while experiencing a situation they never have before. People are talking about mental health more often and are using the appropriate language to describe anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma.
I have noticed there is a specific face for mental health which has limited certain communities when seeking treatment. But this destigmatization has helped them reach out and get the help they need. Therapy is one of the most useful resources and everyone should have access to it.
Necessary but Feasible Actions
Another way to manage your mental health during this time is to do things that are necessary, but the most feasible. At the same time when more people are seeking mental health services, it may not be convenient or practical for someone else to do so. We know there are individuals who do not have a quiet or safe private space to talk to a therapist from home. Also, as the fact that seeking paid mental health services might be one of those privileges people do not have access to. For those reasons, without free or low-cost resources, you should find things within your scope to maintain your wellness. You can start by being intentional about structuring your day in ways such as preparing at night for the day before to not have to make many decisions right at the beginning of the day.
Watch What You Eat
What we are eating can be particularly triggering to our moods and how to cope differently. If you tend to be a stress-eater and you go for sweets and carbs, that will probably have a negative impact on your ability to be attentive, to concentrate, and to stay alert. Watching what you are eating and being mindful of your situation will help you find other means to sooth yourself.
Having a Routine
Create a routine to unwind and rest. This will be helpful if you continue to work from home or go back to your workspace, because those things we might have forgotten about which we used to do will be useful now. It is important to have a place to go work out or calendaring your appointments and making sure you find the time to do absolutely nothing. This will be useful to notice the changes that are coming and what you can do to minimize the stress or anxiety.
These four resources and tools will help you manage your mental health during difficult times. Sometimes, we forget to take the time to care for ourselves, and it is extremely important to do so in moments like the one we are living right now. By finding ways to decrease your anxiety, you are working towards improving your well-being and getting ready to face different challenges.
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Asha Tarry is an author, an award-winning community mental health advocate, psychotherapist, and certified life coach. Tarry is the founder of Behavioral Health Consulting Services LMSW, PLLC which provides consulting, counselling and coaching to creatives and small business owners in the wellness and entertainment industries and educational sector. As a treating provider, Tarry has 20 years of experience providing evaluations, diagnoses, treatment, and life-enhancing skills to children, adults, families, and couples. A significant portion of Ms. Tarry’s work has been conducted in marginalized communities with survivors of intergenerational trauma as well as with professionals in search of a fulfilling life. As a writer and speaker for several publications, which once included one of the nation’s largest online medical news outlets in the black community, BlackDoctor.org, Tarry has effectively demonstrated anecdotal evidence that therapy works and that mindfulness is a holistic way of healing oneself on a continuous basis. Tarry’s work as a mindfulness practitioner has been utilized by professionals in the United States, Asia, and Europe with partnerships through Thrive Global, an Arianna Huffington company, to prevent employees from experiencing workplace burnout. The goal of Tarry’s work is to enlighten, educate, and create safe spaces for everyone, from children to the elderly to live more emotionally empowered and mentally resilient. Her upcoming book is called Adulting as a Millennial: A Guide to Everything Your Parents Didn’t Teach You. Visit https://lifecoachasha.com/ for more information. Follow Asha Tarry on Instagram at @ashatarrymental
