Making sense of mental health tips
There are not many silver linings one can take from being locked up inside the house, but I would argue that there is one, and it is quite important. During these tough times, it has become more socially acceptable to talk about mental health.
As a society, we are still far from open communication about mental health and seeking professional help is still very much stigmatized, but the context is changing. In a situation that is not normal, it’s normal to experience panic and anxiety, and more and more experts are sharing their thoughts on that. Just a few months ago, it would be hard to imagine a situation that could put the world in this state.
Still, most of the content that concerns mental health comes in the form of tips on how to stay mentally healthy. We are flooded with tips on how to take care of mental health, but also with tips on how to work from home and ideas on what to do when in isolation.
Between being stuck at home with a lot of spare time which can lead us to think about all the things we should have done but didn’t, and while “the world as we know it” is changing in front of our eyes, endless tips can contribute to the feeling of being overwhelmed. It can be hard to make sense of what you are feeling and it can be hard to use the time you have in a way that makes you feel good.
Advices, tips and ideas can be useful as great sources of ideas and support, but we need to remember, that’s just what they are — tools that we can use, but we don’t have to.
There is a negative side of accumulated content, all these advices and tips can also create a lot of pressure to keep up with normal, daily rhythm as nothing has changed or even create pressure to use this time for everything you haven’t done in years.
So, let me offer you a slightly different angle on what to do in order to preserve your mental health in this situation.
Remember to take a pause and breathe. Taking a break to breathe and check how you feel is simple, but not easy. Even at home, we are taking part in this ongoing rapid change. We can’t stop what is happening around us, but we can try to pause for a moment and figure out how we feel and what we need.
You can try to meditate while using a meditation app, or while listening to zen music, but it doesn’t have to be meditation. You may feel more relaxed and connected to your body and mind while you’re cooking, cleaning, listening to music or just sitting alone in peace and quiet while doing nothing. There is no best way of connecting with yourself, but once you figure out what works for you, it gets easier.
If you have time and want to be productive, think about what you really want to do. A lot of companies and education institutions are now offering free educational content, but it doesn’t mean you have to use it. Take your time to figure out what sparks your interest.
That project you have been procrastinating on, is that something that still has meaning to you or is it time to let go? Is that online course something you really want to do or is it just social pressure? Priorities are changing over time, so now is perhaps a good time to reevaluate what you are interested in and what you want to invest your time in.
Figure out your own routine. People are different and what works for one person, may not work for others. Some choose to kickstart their day at 6 a.m. with exercise and healthy breakfast. For some, getting up and starting a day with a cup of coffee is perfectly fine and enough. No routine you read about is going to be perfect for you, but you can use ideas that seem good and experiment with them. Maybe you can wake up at a different time, have a different kind of breakfast, change what you do on your break from work, or change the clothes you usually wear.
If you don’t feel like doing something, you don’t have to. If you don’t feel like doing online education or using this time for total spring cleaning, that is ok. If you need to rest, it is ok to do nothing. If you feel bored, it is ok just to be bored without taking up any activity. The state of mind and body is in constant change and sometimes we just need to be patient when it comes to recognizing our needs and wants.
If you are having a hard time, it is ok to call for help. In the time of the new normal, there are a lot of mental health centers and professionals that are offering help. Remember that professional support is not reserved for special people, but for everyone who reaches out.
We don’t know what the future is bringing, but it’s safe to say that things will be different. My hope is that we, as a society, will be able to move past fast solutions and dig deep into our needs.
Even now we can use things that are offered, but during this process you should be gentle to yourself. Bear in mind that no-one is perfect and you have a choice to take what is offered in accordance with your needs.
